A police officer welcomes an expat to the Immigration Affairs Service Center in Yiwu, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

Yiwu, which became part of the Zhejiang Pilot Free Trade Zone in September, is making it easier for foreigners to adapt to local life and play a role in the city's development.

Yiwu receives more than 550,000 overseas buyers and sells commodities to more than 210 countries and regions every year.

On a daily basis, there are around 30,000 foreign buyers in Yiwu, half of whom stay in hotels while the other half live in the city as permanent residents.

The Exit and Entry Administration Department of the Yiwu Public Security Bureau is doing all it can to improve the environment for both daily living and business.

Police officers at the department are offering specialized assistance to each company, and well-reputed foreign enterprises who contribute to the economy have the chance to enjoy preferential entry and exit treatment.

The police officers have built convenient service stations and issued foreign merchant cards to expats in Yiwu, solving many of the difficulties they previously faced.

A police officer discusses preferential policies with foreigners in Yiwu. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

In June, Yiwu opened Jincheng International Home, the first immigration service center in Zhejiang.

Located close to the Yiwu International Trade Market, Jincheng International Home provides foreigners with daily services such as clarification on immigration policies, visa expiration reminders, guidance in online administration, and dispute resolution.

Yiwu's foreign merchant card combines the functions of a foreigner's passport with a local's ID card. The card was first issued in July 2016 as more and more foreign visitors and expats were choosing to settle down in the city.

Holders of the card can use it to identify themselves when handling government affairs, take public transportation, rent shared bicycles, and visit the public library. 

As of Oct 20, the city had issued over 229,000 such cards, making life for expats more convenient and offering them a stronger sense of belonging.