Peng Zekun

642296072@qq.com

QAISAR HAYAT from Pakistan was inquiring about the procedures for registering his pet, and he successfully found the guidelines on the multilingual website of Shenzhen Government Online. Rafael Saavedra from Venezuela also learned about the procedures of recruitment and application for visas on the same website. For foreigners living in Shenzhen, the authoritative and accurate information on the multilingual website Shenzhen Government Online greatly facilitates their lives and thus helps them acquire a sense of belonging in Shenzhen.

Recently, the multilingual website of Shenzhen Government Online was recognized as 2022 China’s Leading Foreign Languages Government Website. Additionally, the official website of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government was awarded 2022 China’s Leading Government Website.

The multilingual website of Shenzhen Government Online provides services in English, French, Japanese and Korean. The English version has been operated by Shenzhen Daily since 2018.

It is learned that the selection was launched by CEIRP in conjunction with professional authorities, which conducted a comprehensive analysis and research on the construction of multilingual government websites in China through software evaluation, self-recommendation, expert evaluation and comprehensive assessment.

The construction of the multilingual website is a further exploration in the three-dimensional upgrading of international services and the strengthening of the international communication capacity of Shenzhen.

Online processing of foreign-related businesses and three-dimensional upgrading of international services

The multilingual website has functional sections including “About Shenzhen,” “Services,” “Business,” “Travel,” “Life Guide” and “Contact Us.” A total of nine sections consist of more than 30 main topics, covering services, life, tourism, investment, and law. The website also provides online processing for the approval of foreign-related services, which facilitates the investment, employment, residence and travel of foreigners and foreign enterprises operating in Shenzhen.

Since the optimization and upgrading in 2018, the  website has been continuously promoting the online processing of high-frequency foreign-related businesses. This year, the website has been publishing the documents and guidelines in foreign languages concerning entrepreneurship and employment, talent services, business environment and other foreign-related policies. Also, the online processing of high-frequency foreign-related businesses including visas, immigration, commercial registration, tax registration, residence permits, stay permits, and certificates of no criminal record has been further advanced.

The website’s various practical services are well received by foreigners in Shenzhen. Rafael Saavedra from Venezuela said: “Having this website that provides authoritative information is a pleasure and a relief for me. It makes recruitment and application for passports and visas much clearer. At the same time, it makes it easier for me to explore the wonderful aspects of the city.” Qaisar Hayat from Pakistan also expressed his thoughts on the website: “I can learn how to register my pets and even the procedures for getting married with this useful website.”

Report of foreign-related services and integration of different cultures

The multilingual website of Shenzhen Government Online has been actively joining hands with different departments to produce special reports on foreign-related services. Three years ago, the website launched the report “City’s War on COVID-19,” which has been continuously operating since then. This year, in the “Contact Us” section, the website launched the columns of “We’re foreigners, but never outsiders” and “Bailout Policies of Shenzhen,” providing information, services and help for foreigners and foreign-invested enterprises. “iShenzhen” and Shenzhen Government Online also launched a multilingual column “Shenzhen Stories.” Themed on “Shenzhen Archives,” the first series of the column is presenting the course of Shenzhen’s reform and opening up in multiple dimensions and from different angles. Shenzhen will strive to create a better life and achieve new greatness.

In the future, Shenzhen will further participate in the construction of a digital government, firmly expand the opening up and continue to build a market-oriented and international business environment under the rule of law. Shenzhen will continue to improve and pursue excellence, constantly improving the capacity and level of the Shenzhen Government Online multilingual website. All-round exchanges and cooperation with foreigners in various fields will be carried out and practical, service-oriented government websites in foreign languages will be continuously built to further enhance the international level of Shenzhen’s public services and contribute to Shenzhen’s construction of a pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics and a world-class city.