On April 9, the Leading Group for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges held a meeting, calling for continuous efforts to improve the language environment for international exchanges, support Beijing in improving its role as a center for international exchanges, and facilitate the high-level opening-up and high-quality development of the capital.
Since the implementation of the Regulations of Beijing Municipality on Fostering a More International Language Environment (the Regulations) in 2022, Beijing has made significant strides in systematically establishing an international language environment in accordance with the law. The International Web Portal of Beijing in nine languages and its English version of the WeChat official account have been launched, guides for foreign nationals seeking medical treatment, education, and employment in Beijing have been successively released. A total of 338 foreign-language service windows have been set up in government service centers at different levels, and demonstration zones of multilingual payment service for overseas visitors have been put into operation at the Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport. Notably, the accuracy rate of foreign-language signs in public places has reached 98.43% throughout the city. With the continuous implementation of new ideas and measures to foster a more international language environment, Beijing will deliver more accessible and convenient services for foreign enterprises and nationals.
In 2024, Beijing will continue to take the Regulations as the fundamental guideline and the Major Tasks on Fostering a More International Language Environment in Beijing in 2024 as the annual "agenda" and "roadmap". The focus will be laid on the following three aspects to further improve the international language environment and continuously enhance "Beijing Services".
Accessible Foreign-Language Public Services
Efforts will be made to ensure quality foreign-language services for major international events such as the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), ZGC Forum, Beijing Culture Forum, and Financial Street Forum. To deliver higher-quality foreign-related services, it is important to upgrade the English "policy service package" regarding investment attraction for foreign-funded enterprises, launch the English version of the 114 appointment platform and the official website of Beijing Subway, and improve the multilingual services of city hotlines such as 110, 120, 119, and 12345. Accelerated progress should also be made in simultaneously releasing warning and safety alert information in both Chinese and English. Moreover, foreign-language services will be improved in sectors related to inbound tourism. These include compiling and promoting the English maps of Beijing, enhancing foreign-language services for citywide payment facilitation and in tax refund shops, and optimizing the foreign-language version of the "Visiting Beijing Parks" app. The ultimate goal is to create an international language environment that is accessible and convenient for foreign nationals.
Standard Foreign-Language Signs
Beijing will enhance international services in key industrial parks and exhibition centers by standardizing foreign-language signs at such locations, which include Phase II of the China National Convention Center, Phase II of the China International Exhibition Center (new venue), Beijing China-Germany Industrial Park, and places along the Central Axis, which is seeking World Heritage status. This effort will also extend to municipal tertiary hospitals, boutique parks, museums, and other venues. Leveraging the guiding role of the citywide foreign-language signs monitoring and evaluation, a thorough examination of foreign-language signs in key public places will be conducted in a well-conceived and orderly manner. The Beijing Translators Association and the Beijing Sign Industry Association will also be guided to collaborate in addressing the root causes of mistranslated foreign-language signs, thereby further standardizing foreign-language signs throughout the city.
Social Engagement and Team Building
Targeted promotion campaigns will continue to increase the visibility and acceptance of the Regulations and the local standard on foreign-language signs. To cultivate a pool professionals, more training sessions will be organized to enhance the international awareness and foreign-language proficiency of window and frontline staff. In addition, full play will be given to the professional support of the Beijing Translators Association, the expert pool of senior translators for major languages, the directory of high-end public policy translation institutions, and foreign language volunteers, so as to encourage all relevant parties to engage, collaborate, and share the benefits.
A high-quality international language environment reflects a city's international image and competitiveness. To further strengthen its role as the national center for international exchanges, Beijing will continue to carry out precision improvement of its language environment. This will demonstrate Beijing’s confidence, inclusiveness, openness, and innovation, and contribute to the capital's development in the new era.
