"270… 289… 295…" The number displayed on the screen kept increasing, showing more people were taking part in the online training on passports for public affairs, which was held on the afternoon of July 29, attracting participants from 224 Beijing-based organizations. At 14:30 when the training started, the online classroom was packed with 300 participants, the maximum number allowed for the event.

Online classroom full of participants

Mobile phones and desks were all the tools people needed to attend the event, The Beijing Foreign Affairs Office has always looked to provide more convenient online services. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, it has moved the training program online this year. Whether they were civil servants seconded to community-level organizations, college officers on vacation or enterprise employees on business trips, people may easily join in the training session via PCs and mobile phones.

Expanded coverage 

This year's training session targeted more organizations in the city. For the first time, the training was offered to Bank of China Beijing Branch and other organizations for which the municipal government was entrusted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the management of passports for public affairs. Newly established organizations after the institutional reform were also listed as a priority.

Addressing practical needs

The training covered the issues identified in the special inspections on overseas trips in 2019 and the new facilitation measures such as "passport application in parallel with task approval" and "passport handover in case of job transfer". The participants praised the training as useful, effectively meeting their needs.

Timely answering inquiries

This training intends to not only improve the skills of experienced personnel but also serve as an introductory course for green hands. It features real-time interactions and Q&As between the participants and facilitators, who answered hundreds of questions in voice and text formats, clarifying the doubts of the participants.

Attendees from Beijing Municipal Health Commission

Attendee from Beijing Enterprises Group

Attendee from Xicheng District Foreign Affairs Office

An officer in a community attends the training

Training on APEC Business Travel Card, management of overseas trips, and other topics is expected to be launched online successively. Internet-based training will become the "new normal" in the area. With more review and approval procedures, government services, and interactive activities going online, entry and exit management will be more effectively backed by information technology. More online services will be provided, making communication easier and saving people time and energy.

When reposting this article, please indicate the source: website of Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal Government