Changning enhances open-government service

The Great Hongqiao International Reception Hall is unveiled on Aug 29. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

Shanghai's Changning district launched a new facility to enhance communication between government and enterprises at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Library on Aug 29.

The launch ceremony for the facility, the Great Hongqiao International Reception Hall, took place at the "Window of China" Shanghai Reading Center, which is the first of its kind. 

The reception hall will serve as the venue for communication between the district government and 10 local companies that have been hired as observers for Changning's government affairs disclosure. 

The 10 companies include the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, Shanghai Xunmeng Information Technology Co, and Shanghai Bethany Biotechnology Co.

Changning, one of the most internationalized urban areas in Shanghai, has in recent years been optimizing its business environment to better serve local enterprises, many of which are foreign funded. 

Changning is also home to the country's first foreign-related residential area, the Gubei International Community, as well as the Hongqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone.

Gubei currently has nearly 6,800 foreign-funded enterprises, including more than 80 regional headquarters of multinational companies. A total of 28 consulates in Shanghai and more than 200 diplomatic residences are also located in Changning. The registered overseas population of the district accounts for about one fifth of Shanghai's total overseas population.

Along with the launch of the Great Hongqiao International Reception Hall, the district government also released The Changning District Action Plan for Optimizing the Business Environment (Version 1.0-6.0), which covers trade facilitation, corporate services, talent development, market supervision, legal environment, and engineering construction.