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A foreigner holds his Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. [Photo/jiaxingren.com]

In a bid to offer more efficient and convenient government services to foreign nationals living, working, and studying in China, Jiaxing in Zhejiang province has revamped its city-wide government service hall and accompanying systems, integrating a card-reading feature for Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards and ensuring compatibility with older versions.

Jiaxing has achieved a level of convenience for permanent residency cardholders which is equal to that of Chinese residents in the realm of government services. Foreign nationals with the cards can now enjoy the same online and self-service options when dealing with various governmental matters such as tax-related affairs, property registration, public security, and customs.

In a further commitment to enhancing the city's internationalization, Jiaxing released its first official city guide for foreigners in December 2023. The guide covers a wide range of topics, including visa and work permit application processes and essential life information related to dining, accommodation, transportation, shopping, education, and healthcare, as well as pertinent policies regarding taxation, legal services, housing, public services, and insurance and finance.

The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of China is issued by the National Immigration Administration to eligible foreign individuals. The new version of the card, officially issued and activated on Dec 1, 2023, grants the cardholder's access to public services, government services, and online platforms related to transportation, daily life, financial transactions, and communication.