Taking Multiple Measures to Build "International Shenyang" and Enhance the Internationalization Level of the City-Shenyang News- 沈阳市人民政府外事办公室

Taking Multiple Measures to Build "International Shenyang" and Enhance the Internationalization Level of the City

时间：2024-01-11 撰稿人：供稿部门：Shenyang Foreign Affairs Office

Since last year, the whole city has followed the work deployment of the municipal CPC and government to build "International Shenyang", anchored the overall goal of building a national central city, actively promoted the construction of an international central city and a new highland for opening up in Northeast Asia, and made every effort to improve the internationalization level. Shenyang's international reputation, influence, and competitiveness have been continuously improved.

Shenyang has successfully created the "Hello, Shenyang" global promotion event brand. In 2023, Shenyang continuously strengthened its efforts of "foreign affairs +" and building an "International Shenyang". It has successfully held a series of "Hello, Shenyang" global promotion events in world-renowned cities such as Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong, covering nearly 1 billion people in more than 40 countries and regions, and the "Hello, Shenyang" Friendship Night and a series of activities for foreigners to check in international style communities with 8 Consulates General in Shenyang. The online flow related to “Hello, Shenyang” continues to soar and “Hello, Shenyang” has become a beautiful brand showcasing and promoting Shenyang.

The new elements of the image of "International Shenyang" have been further enriched. The municipal government awarded Dr. Franz Decker, CEO and President of BMW Brilliance, and Jochen Goller, President of BMW China, the title of "Honorary Citizen of Shenyang City". By far, 145 people have been awarded honorary citizens, who have become “ambassadors" to promote Shenyang to the world. 12 enterprises including Shenyang Blower Works Group and Kingsemi were awarded the title of "Shenyang International Exchange Demonstration Base". Till now, there has been 24 international exchange demonstration bases, fully showcasing the image of "International Shenyang". The 2023 "Together on Belt & Road" Overseas Journalists’ trip to Shenyang and the second "i Capture Shenyang" International Short Video Contest were held to strengthen the international communication capacity and enhance the influence of the city. 14 international passenger and cargo routes have been resumed, including those from Shenyang to Seoul and Amsterdam; 516 China Europe freight trains have been launched, ranking first in Northeast China and among the top in the country. More than ten large-scaled scientific and technological innovation activities and external exchange activities have been held, continuously deepening international exchanges and cooperation in the field of vocational education. Events such as "Representatives from Hong Kong, Macao, and Overseas Chinese Visiting Liaoning" and "Global Liaoning Business Conference" were held to invite representatives from Hong Kong and Macao to visit Shenyang, enhancing their confidence and determination to invest and develop in Shenyang.

The level of foreign-related public services in Shenyang has been continuously improved. Shenyang is the first city in the three Northeast provinces to set up Shenyang Immigration Service Center and Shenyang expatriate management service information platform, coordinating 13 departments, integrated 47 foreign-related service matters, and realizing "one-window" acceptance, "one-network" and "one-time" handling. Specific guidelines for establishing international communities have been formulated for standard development. Six international schools have been built to meet the needs of foreigners. Foreign-related medical services have been improved in 10 designated hospitals, with special service lines open for foreigners in international clinics. International events such as the international marathon, international skiing and international open regatta, as well as cultural events that are compatible with both Chinese and foreign cultures, such as the Sino-German International Beer Festival, the Summer Solstice Music Festival and the Shenyang Art Festival have been held, and international style communities have been developed to create a favorable environment for foreigners to live, work, study and travel in Shenyang. The interview activities of "Foreigners - Home in Shenyang" were carried out to enhance the international popularity, reputation and influence of Shenyang.

Shenyang has also steadily promoted sister city development to "expand the circle of friends and enhance friendship". With the establishment of friendly and cooperative relations with Hastings, New Zealand, Shenyang's sister cities have covered 47 countries in 102 cities. By in-depth implementation of the "one strategy for each city", we have sorted out the industrial map of each sister cities, and formulated targeted plans to fully tap the potential of cooperation between the two sides. Heping District and Yongsan District of Seoul, Dadong District and Gangbuk District of Seoul, Faku County and Sunchang County of ROK, Sujiatun District and Boseong County of ROK, Shenhe District and Daejeon City West of ROK, and other five pairs of districts or counties have established friendly cooperative relations, opening up channels cooperation with foreign countries, and forming of a dimensional layout of international sister city exchange system that features "sister city + sister district".

Next, Shenyang will further improve the environment and platform for opening-up, optimize foreign related services, constantly enhance international popularity and influence, and build an upgraded version of the "International Shenyang", striving to be a pioneer in the development of Liaoning as a hub for opening up and cooperation in Northeast Asia.