Officials unveil the name plate of a new service center for foreign professionals in Guanren community in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, on July 3. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]
A new service center for foreign professionals opened in Guanren community in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, on July 3.
The center will offer various services for expats, including language training, cultural exchange and information consultation. The center is aimed at enhancing expats' sense of belonging.
Xiamen has been working to improve its service system for international talents, said Liu Yuangang, an official from the city's science and technology bureau.
The city's healthy environment for innovation and starting businesses has made it one of the most attractive cities in China for foreigners, Liu added.
To help expats live a convenient and comfortable life in Xiamen, the local government departments have been working together to introduce a series of measures. For example, Xiamen was one of the first four cities approved by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange to pilot a policy that foreigners can enjoy a more convenient access to the currency exchange services for their salaries at local banks.
A one-stop service window for expats to apply for work and residence permits was also set up at Xiamen Software Park last year. This window is the first of its kind in Fujian to integrate administrative procedures from different departments.
The Welcome to Xiamen, Guide for Expats was also released that day. The handbook, which is available in English and Chinese, offers comprehensive information on topics such as visas, employment, starting a business, medical treatment, education, food and recreation.
The handbook will be made available at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, allowing foreigners to learn more about Xiamen's business environment and policies upon their arrival.
The digital version of the handbook has already been made available at the WeChat mini program "爱门通Amoyer" and the official English website of Xiamen.
Scan the QR code to check out the digital version of Welcome to Xiamen, Guide for Expats.
Zuzana Pavlova, a Czech national who is one of the editors of the handbook, said that she hopes the book can become a useful resource for foreigners in Xiamen.
Pavlova is the second foreign consultant working at the city's service center for foreign professionals.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
