In recent years, Beijing has taken measures to strengthen top-level design, advance major programs and improve international exchange environment in a bid to serve major state affairs and diplomatic events. Beijing has attracted high-end factors from across the world to make the city a principal stage for major state affairs and diplomatic events, and a center with frequent international exchange, comprehensive services, and international influence.
A football games was held at the Changying Sports Park in Beijing on a sunny winter day. With strict anti-epidemic measures, nearly 160 foreigners from 60 countries and regions participated in the match.
As China is taking center stage in the world, more and more international organizations have settled in Beijing, and an increasing number of foreigners are working, studying, and living in Beijing. Beijing has expedited the development of its function as an international exchange center by measures such as organizing new year performances, football and basketball matches and other cultural and sports events for foreigners in Beijing to enhance their sense of belonging and identity, and foster an environment resembling their home countries.
2020 Football Game for Foreigners in Beijing
Expand the exchange space as the only "Summer and Winter Olympic City"
The China National Convention Center Phase II, which will serve as the main press center for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 (Beijing 2022 Games), is scheduled to be delivered to the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (Beijing 2022) for use in 2021. At present, the installation of the curtain wall and the interior mechanical and electrical devices of the main structure is in full swing, which uses new techniques that can be promoted elsewhere. Grasping the opportunity of hosting the Beijing 2022 Games, Beijing is expanding its facilities for international exchange. After completion, the China National Convention Center Phase II will be integrated with the existing structure of the China National Convention Center to form a world-class exhibition complex covering 1.3 million square meters, which can host international business conferences and exhibitions and diplomatic and state events.
In recent years, Beijing has made constant efforts to expand and upgrade various international exchange facilities so that it can better serve major state events. For example, measures have been taken to improve the landscaping and environment in areas near Tiananmen Square, Zhongnanhai and Diaoyutai and along Chang'an Avenue and other key areas. Making full use of its world cultural heritage sites such as the Great Wall, the Palace Museum and the Temple of Heaven and pressing home its advantages in traditional culture such as opera, calligraphy and paintings and clothing, Beijing fully taps the potential of venues for state events with Chinese cultural heritage.
The head of the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office said that facilities are the foundation for international exchange, which directly relate to the image of the country and the capital. To perform Beijing's role as an international exchange center, Beijing focuses on major programs. Currently, the priorities for Beijing in this regard are the construction of Beijing Yanqi Lake International Conference Resort, China National Convention Center Phase II, and the fourth embassy district.
"The regulatory plan for the fourth embassy district in Beijing has been completed. The construction of infrastructure and upgrading of the nearby areas are progressing in an orderly manner. We will speed up the construction of an international district featuring vitality, fashion and high quality to create another Sanlitun," said the head of the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office.
Create a pleasant living and working environments like those in home countries for foreigners in Beijing
According to the Beijing Municipal Regulations on the Management of Public Signs in Foreign Languages which entered into force on July 1, 2020, six types of major public places, including urban rail transit stations, cultural and sports venues and other important public venues, must erect and use foreign language signs. The Municipal Foreign Affairs Office has established an online information service platform of public signs in foreign languages to publish the standards on the use of foreign languages for public signs and standard translations of frequently used Chinese signs and to provide information and query services for the use of such signs.
Beijing has speeded its efforts to build an international language environment in recent years and has seen constant improvement in this regard. The outbreak of COVID-19 this year posed a challenge to epidemic prevention and control among the foreigners in Beijing. Adhering to the principle of equal protection, the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office has released epidemic prevention and control information to foreigners in Beijing in multiple languages through various channels, and put up notices and posters in communities where many foreigners live.
The Municipal Foreign Affairs Office sent notes to more than 200 embassies and offices of international organizations to inform them of the epidemic prevention and control situation; arrange for Beijing multilingual service center to provide support to the 12345 hot line; provide epidemic data, epidemic prevention and control policies, useful information and infection prevention knowledge on its official website and WeChat account in up to 8 languages every day.
Foreigners express their thanks for release of epidemic prevention and control information in multiple languages.
Many foreigners expressed their thanks, saying that authoritative and useful information was released timely, helping them better understand China's epidemic prevention and control and make concerted efforts.
"When the epidemic broke out, I didn't take it seriously. Community workers visited my place several times to tell me about the development of the epidemic, and put up a poster in both English and Chinese to foreign residents. With that, I changed my attitude and began to take precautions. I feel safe," said Tim, who is from Australia.
Foreign media in Beijing visit a TCM enterprise.
A business environment better than Tokyo and Paris
Despite the challenge to cross-national business events and international economic cooperation due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Beijing has made full use of its unique advantages to attract international high-end factors, strengthen its role as an international exchange center and enhance its capacity for international exchange.
During the epidemic, many companies have been set up in Beijing, such as a wholly owned unit of Oaktree Capital Management, a world famous investment management company, and a joint venture of Prudential, the largest life insurance company in the UK. "The financial environment of Beijing is very attractive to foreign institutes. It offers many conveniences to foreign institutes in policies, registration, coordinating facilities, talents and so on. We are confident about our future," said Chao Hanting from New York in a video talk with Beijing.
Statistics show that from January to July this year, 1,817 new foreign-invested companies were established in Beijing, up 13.4% year on year; paid-in foreign investment reached USD 9.8 billion, accounting for 12.4% of the nation's total. According to Doing Business 2020 released by the World Bank, Beijing ranked 28th, before Paris and Tokyo in terms of business environment. In 2020, Beijing remains to have the largest number of Fortune Global 500 companies for eight years in a row, with 55 companies in Beijing included in the list.
After over four decades of efforts, Beijing has developed sister-city ties with 55 cities of 50 countries and established a circle of friends across the world. From receiving assistance from sister cities to giving assistance to them, from receiving investment and drawing on experience of others to offering cooperation projects and sharing development experience, Beijing has made constant efforts to pursue cooperation with its sister cities in more areas and more ways.
Beijing shares experience in epidemic control with 26 sister cities and 3 international organizations through video
In 2020, the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office has adopted a new model for international exchange, and has held a number of international video conferences based on the Internet to communicate with enterprises about problems related to the supply of anti-epidemic supplies, parts and components, purchase orders, international logistics and transportation, and the return of foreign executives, experts and their families to Beijing, and has worked with relevant departments to help companies solve these problems. Positive signals were released to boost the confidence of the international business community and stabilize foreign investment and foreign trade in Beijing during the epidemic.
Siphon effect relating to foreign talents
In addition to enhancing the capacity for international exchange, Beijing also takes measures to improve its soft infrastructure. In order to bring in and retain talents, Beijing prioritizes talent in its development, has introduced a one-stop model to bring in foreign talents, and adopts eight measures to solve housing, healthcare and other problems for full-time experts from overseas.
Beijing has reformed the approval system of foreign doctors to delegate the review and approval to district-level health authorities. Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China-Japan Friendship Hospital and other pilot hospitals are encouraged to seek international certification of healthcare service management and international insurance services, and develop international healthcare services.
Beijing is the first in China to delegate the review and approval of schools for foreign children and allow Chinese companies and individuals to set up schools for foreign children. The review of the application for permanent residence of foreigners has shortened from 180 working days to 50 working days. Over 4,000 high-caliber foreign people have obtained permanent residency in China.
"Foreign talents are important strategic resources for development. These measures and policies have strengthened the services for foreign talents. Foreign talents are increasingly attracted to Beijing as a result of its siphon effect," said the head of Municipal Foreign Affairs Office.
(Reporter: Luo Xin)
