Tianjin well-prepared to welcome back foreign nationals

As Tianjin begins to resume production amid the COVID-19 epidemic, foreign enterprises have also started the process of getting back to work.

Foreign businesses make huge contributions to the economic development of Tianjin, generating one third of the city's tax revenue, nearly half of its imports and exports, and one third of its total industrial output value. More than 700,000 people work in foreign enterprises; nearly one tenth of total employment.

Up to now, the return-to-work rate of the top 100 foreign enterprises in Tianjin has exceeded 97 percent, and among the 1,160 foreign industrial enterprises above-designated scale, 934 have resumed work and production.

According to data from airports, border control and other relevant departments, the number of foreign arrivals in Tianjin has been gradually increasing since the Spring Festival.

Tianjin is now working on how best to protect foreign nationals by educating them about virus protection measures.

“We understand that returning to China with their families for work during the outbreak is a courageous decision to make,” said a deputy director of a sub-district office who is in charge of communicating with foreigners.

“Yet one thing bothering us is that they may not quite understand some disruptive practices which we are already accustomed to; such as wearing masks, self-imposed quarantine at home, and the shutdown of residential communities. They may not have to wear masks back in their own countries,” the deputy director added.

Faced with this situation, community staff and volunteers have worked to update foreign nationals with the local virus situation, including infection numbers and preventative measures. For example, those who come to Tianjin from medium and high-risk areas need to stay home for a 14-day quarantine and those with suspicious symptoms - and their close contacts - need to be placed in centralized quarantine centers. This is a common practice for all, without exception.

At the same time, they also illustrate specific care methods and provide all available help in a timely manner, doing their best to protect the residents.

Tianjin is also making efforts to ensure a healthy and happy life for foreign nationals, taking into account their daily needs, including remote working, food, exercise, entertainment and children’s education.

Throughout this process, the anti-epidemic work has been received with understanding, support and appreciation by the vast majority of foreigners.

Confronted by pervasive viruses, mankind is a community with a shared future. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, many countries have rendered great support and assistance to China and Tianjin and now it is time the city to carry forward the spirit and character of mutual-assistance, joint-promotion and win-win cooperation.