Editor's Note: Strengthening the role as the center for international exchanges is a glorious mission entrusted by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core to Beijing. Districts across the city have faithfully implemented the overall plan by the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, and made concerted efforts in view of their respective strong edges in location and resources in pushing ahead with relevant tasks and achieved impressive results.
To celebrate the success of the 20th CPC National Congress, the official WeChat account of the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office (WeChat ID: bjszfwb) posted a collection of "Highlights in Strengthening Beijing's Role as the Center for International Exchanges by Each District", showcasing the progress and achievements made by each district in related tasks and how they will build on past successes to further advance the capital city's development in the new era.
By acting on the general principle of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, Xicheng District concentrated on serving the major events of the Party and the country, showing the beauty of the ancient capital and China's national image, and striving to break new ground for strengthening Beijing's capabilities as the center for international exchanges.
1. Coordinate strengths in resources to upgrade international exchange services
A leading group for enhancing Beijing's status as the center for international exchanges was established, delivering the Spatial Plan of Xicheng District to Contribute to Beijing's Role as the Center for International Exchanges, a study of the "International Exchange Space along the Central Axis of Xicheng District", and the "Plan for Strengthening the Center for International Exchanges by Xicheng District during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period".
Serving China's overall diplomacy. The "Joint Meeting System for Serving Major International Events in Xicheng District" was introduced to establish a sound "1+15+N" regular service support mechanism, rendering high-quality service support to major international events such as the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Creating platforms for resource supply. By taking the urban renewal, the conservation of the Central Axis, and the construction of the "City of Museums" as an opportunity, a number of venues for foreign-related activities were developed, such as Haiqing Yuan. Xi'anmen Street around Zhongnanhai was upgraded, and the design to improve the environment of the two-kilometer-wide area from north to south with the section of Chang'an Street in the Xicheng District as the central line was completed. Foreign-related reception resources in culture and tourism, business, science and technology, and education were refined to add to and enhance the project pool for foreign visits.
Promoting sister-city exchanges. With sister-city relations formed with 24 cities (districts) of 20 countries across four continents as the main channel, an all-dimensional exchange and cooperation platform was built, featuring government-enterprise coordination and advancement of official communications via people-to-people exchanges and vice versa. A memorandum of understanding on friendly cooperation was signed during the online celebration of the 35th anniversary of the sister-city ties between Xicheng District and Nakano City in Tokyo. An online promotion event for enterprises was held with Lenin District of Minsk, Belarus, to unlock the full potential of cooperation on trade; Online exchange activities were carried out with Tokyo on calligraphy and floral art. There was also an international sister city symposium on how to expand the circle of international friends to help promote the high-quality development of the Xicheng District.
Fostering signature international cultural and tourism events. Such events include the Shichahai Cultural Tourism Festival, the China International Ballet Gala Season, the China International Chorus Festival, the Lao She Theatre Festival, the "White Tower Night Talk", and the "October Literature Festival". The influence of the "two expos and one festival" has been continuously enhanced, and a tourism route involving experiences of thematic museums has been launched.
2. Capitalize on the strengths of platforms to attract global high-end resources
Building on national-level platforms for opening up. Hosting the Financial Street Forum and the Global Fintech Summit helped fully apply science and technology in finance.
Fully participating in the comprehensive trials for further opening the national financial and service sectors. 2021 saw the establishment of 42 new foreign-invested enterprises. High-standard comprehensive services and supporting measures have been offered to the Beijing Stock Exchange. Focusing on key areas such as finance, science and technology, cooperation has been developed with international organizations such as the ITPO China of UNIDO and the WIPO office in China.
Serving talent introduction program. Service windows for handling foreigners' work permits in China were established, where the application for both work permit and residence permit could be processed at a single window. Meanwhile, all-dimensional, whole-process and high-standard services were made accessible to overseas professionals who engage in innovation, start their businesses, work and study in China.
3. Create a world-class business environment to facilitate regional openness and development
With the implementation of reforms and tasks in Beijing's Business Environment Reform 5.0, convenient registration services became accessible to transnational companies. To strengthen Xicheng's role as an international platform, greater efforts and policy support have been given to attract foreign investment. For instance, the 2.0 version of the Beijing Fintech and Professional Service Innovation Demonstration Zone (Xicheng District) Construction Plan was launched.
The new series of activities "Foreign Affairs Service Package Helping Enterprises Go Abroad", which combines the application for the APEC Business Travel Card, Invitation Letter for Chinese Visa and consular protection, have been carried out, providing "service packages" for companies, and thus improving the entry/exit service management system, and bringing policy information and workflow introduction to their doorstep.
Internationalized public services seeing continuous improvement. To implement the Regulations of Beijing Municipality on Improving Language Environment for International Exchanges, Foreign Language Performance of the Financial Street was held for four consecutive years, engaging more citizens to speak foreign languages. Besides, more focus was put on improving international education services, and organizing and participating in educational exchanges with other countries. In addition, efforts were intensified to build stronger international departments in medical facilities, expand internationalized healthcare services, and deliver better foreign-related services.
(Photo source: Beijing Foreign Affairs Office, Foreign Affairs Office of Xicheng District Government, and Beijing Daily)
