Editor's note: On January 1, the Beijing Municipal Regulations on Building a Language Environment for International Exchanges came into force, providing a reliable reference for the city to foster a language environment for international exchanges in accordance with the law. The governmental departments of all districts and industry associations in Beijing have complied with the regulations and promoted its implementation in an orderly manner, achieving great outcomes.

To celebrate the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Beijing Foreign Affairs Office launches a feature, Implementing the Beijing Municipal Regulations on Building a Language Environment for International Exchanges. The feature will focus on the progress and results in building the language environment and improving Beijing's role as the center for international exchanges.

Shijingshan District has thoroughly implemented the Beijing Municipal Regulations on Building a Language Environment for International Exchanges, taking it as an opportunity to keep improving its international public services and strengthening Beijing's role as the center for international exchanges.

1. Establish Three Mechanisms to Ensure Coordinated Efforts

Establish a coordination and supervision mechanism. The local government formulated the Special Work Plan of Shijingshan District to Implement the Beijing Municipal Regulations on Building a Language Environment for International Exchanges. With this plan, the district broke down major tasks, allocated them to different agencies under project-based management, and highlighted the deadlines in a to-do list.

Establish an accountability mechanism. Industry associations in the district assumed their responsibilities, identified and rectified mistakes in existing foreign language signs, and examined signs to be erected. The sub-districts gave full play to their local advantages and steadily standardized foreign language signs in key blocks.

Establish a joint enforcement mechanism. The Shijingshan Foreign Affairs Office worked closely with the Shijingshan District Law-Enforcing Bureau of City Administration. They carried out three joint inspections on 26 institutions. One problem was identified and rectification was required within a time limit.

2. Focus on Three Areas to Standardize Foreign Language Services Across the Board

Conduct a comprehensive examination in international public venues. Across sectors like medical and health care, culture and tourism as well as catering and accommodation, 9,371 foreign language signs in 40 key spots were examined. 3,178 of them were found flawed, recorded, and disposed of.

Improve the language environment for international exchanges in service centers. The local government introduced the 2022 Work Schedule for Self-inspection and Joint Inspection of Foreign Language Signs in Key Public Venues in Shijingshan District. It upgraded foreign language services in government service centers by putting up foreign language signs, setting up foreign language service windows, and assigning multilingual employees to 16 government service centers.

Further standardize foreign language signs in the international talent community. The district reviewed 187 foreign language signs along the roads around Shougang Park and in the international talent community to meet the needs of Beijing as the center for international exchanges. It also examined 170 foreign language signs to be erected and proposed 58 suggestions for revision.

3. Further Promote the Regulations and Increase Public Participation Through Three Channels

Further promote the regulations through meetings and social media. The district organized a work meeting to introduce the regulations to 17 industry associations and nine sub-districts. The official WeChat account of the Shijingshan Foreign Affairs Office, Shijingshan Foreign Affairs, also reposted the regulations and their interpretations to reach a wider population.

Enhance supervision based on the proposals raised by the district people's congress. Based on the implementation of the regulations and the proposals raised by deputies of the district people's congress, the local government assigned supervisors to Shougang Park and the Beijing Winter Olympic Park to ensure that the regulations are implemented on the ground.

Mobilize the public to identify mistakes in foreign language signs. The Shijingshan Foreign Affairs WeChat account launched a program where people can submit pictures of foreign language signs which they think have been translated incorrectly. Little by little, more and more people are joining the effort to correct foreign language signs.