Wuxi releases measures to facilitate foreign nationals

Expats in Wuxi. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

Wuxi municipal people's government held a press conference on March 2 to introduce the Ten Measures to Facilitate the Entry and Stay of Foreign Nationals in Wuxi (Ten Measures in short), addressing the obstacles encountered by foreign nationals in business, study and tourism in the city.

Check out the HIGHLIGHTS of the Ten Measures:

Build six scenarios of convenience for foreign nationals

1. Exit and entry. Implement the five measures aimed at simplifying the process for foreign nationals visiting China. Work to apply the 144-hour transit visa-free policy. Promote the application of foreign permanent resident ID cards. Improve facilities in Wuxi Shuofang Airport and accelerate convenient services in security check and customs clearance.

2. Payment. Accelerate the acceptance of the use of overseas bank cards at airports, train stations, commercial districts, tourist attractions, hotels and restaurants. Support the setting of foreign currency exchange counter and installation of foreign card terminals. Guide foreigners to use other payment methods like WeChat Wallet. Urge business entities to provide cashiers with cash payment and change services. Ensure taxis accept payments in cash.

3. Business and work. Compile and publish the Investment Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs in Wuxi, improve the one-stop service system for foreign investment, promote the "examination and approval with no visit" to foreign-related areas, and provide government information on foreign-related matters in multiple languages.

4. Living and travel. Carry out the construction of international communities, pilot promoting some hotels to improve their conditions for receiving overseas tourists, and allow foreigners to enjoy the same preferential policies for transportation and travel. Increase the number of routes to Japan and South Korea in due course.

5. Consumption. Plan for a series of consumption scenarios such as sports and fitness, pubs and western-style restaurants, high-end shopping, and more. Promote the optimization and adjustment of the commodities of tax-exempt stores, facilitate the booking and ticket purchasing for foreign travelers in scenic spots and allow them to enjoy the same convenience as native citizens, and encourage libraries, museums, art galleries and gymnasiums to innovate in serving foreigners.

6. Education and healthcare. Strengthen the construction of schools for children of foreigners, and make it possible for foreign students to study in ordinary public and private primary and secondary schools and kindergartens. Support hospitals to provide foreign-related medical services, equip hospitals with medical and nursing staff that can speak foreign languages, and encourage qualified municipal hospitals to open Internet-based English medical guide services.

Expats in Wuxi. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

Improve overall environment for foreign nationals

1. Improve international language environment. Provide basic foreign language reception service at airports, hotels, public transportation, tourist attractions, important commercial districts and other places. Add foreign language channels on the 12345 hotline. Promote the inclusion of foreign language service to the emergency hotlines of 110, 120 and 119. Add English translations to urban roads, bridges, tunnels, pedestrian crossings and other municipal facilities, as well as traffic signs and bus stop signs. Strengthen the standardization of foreign language signage in key tourist areas.

2. Improve urban environment. Improve the quality of backstreets and alleys, making the city a "living room" that is clean enough even to sit on the ground. Promote the planning and construction of key projects such as botanical gardens, natural history museums, and Taihu Lake suburban parks, aiming to create a distinctive Jiangnan-style landscape-themed garden city.

3. Improve international profile. Enhance the visual image, brand logo, promotional slogans, and other specialized city IP systems with more international language and methods. Establish the English news platform of "Wuxi, China", create the city's Internet image brand of "Wuxi Goes Global" and award honorary citizens of Wuxi.

Establish a group of demonstration units for promoting facilitation services for foreign nationals

Promote the building of 10 demonstration districts (neighborhoods) for accepting overseas bank cards, 100 demonstration units for foreign-related services and 1,000 foreign-friendly scenarios. Distribute Guidelines for Foreign Nationals Visiting Wuxi at airports, train stations, hotels, public transportation, tourist attractions and major commercial areas. Promptly publish government and life service information on official government websites, and provide more precise, convenient and quality services for overseas visitors to Wuxi. Enhance the inquiry functions at airports, train stations and port terminals, and provide pre-guidance services for foreign nationals visiting Wuxi.