The Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Changchun City (CCFAO) organized a press conference on July 25, 2019. The information about the cooperation on the “Service Platform of the Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City and the New Culture News”, and the “Information Platform of the Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City and Donna’s Mandarin” was released at the conference.

Geng Hailong, Director General of Division of American and Oceanian Affairs of CCFAO and Secretary-General of the Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City, introduced the main functions and annual arrangements of the Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City.

With the expansion of opening up, according to Geng Hailong, Changchun’s construction of an international city has taken shape. An increasing number of multinational companies and enterprises have settled in Changchun, which in turn has been attracting more and more international friends to come to work, study and live in the city. In order to create a competitive business environment and improve the level of services for foreign friends and foreign-funded enterprises, the Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City has been founded in line with the reality of foreign affairs of Changchun City and in response to the proposal made by the foreign friends in the city.

The main functions of the Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City are to unite and liaise with the foreign enterprises and foreign friends in Changchun City; to put forward opinions and suggestions on the socioeconomic development of Changchun City; to provide technical argumentations on the special programs by the government and competent departments; to support the foreign exchanges and cooperation by the government and competent departments; to help solve the difficulties confronted with the foreign enterprises and foreign friends in Changchun City; and to organize foreign enterprises and foreign friends to carry out cultural and sports activities.

The major annual arrangements of the Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City include:

1. To organize an annual conference;

2. To organize an annual consultative conference for the government of Changchun City;

3. To organize a consultative conference on economy and trade in the first half year, and one on social development in the second half;

4. To organize a large activity on a quarterly basis, including culture. including culture, sport, art, economy and trade;

5. To organize a big New Year Reception every year;

6. To organize a number of other activities according to the opinions of the members of the fraternity.

The Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City is governed by the Changchun Municipal Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. It is a non-profit association, with a permanent secretariat located at the Jilin International Studies University. It has one President, five Vice Presidents, one Secretary General and three Deputy Secretary Generals. The members of the fraternity are selected through recommendation and consultation. The first meeting of the Preparatory Committee of the Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City was held on May 14, 2019 on which the President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary-Generals and Deputy Secretary-Generals were elected. The Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City was officially unveiled at the Jilin International Studies University on May 25, 2019.

Secondly, the Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City and the New Culture News signed a cooperation agreement on setting up a service platform for the foreigners in Changchun City. From July 1, 2019, the foreigners in Changchun City can turn to the service platform for having electrical appliances including TV, refrigerator, washing machine, water heater, air conditioner and computer repaired; floor heating, cooker hood, water dispenser and other household appliances cleaned; door lock installed, unlocked or repaired; door and window fixed; heating repaired and reconstructed; formaldehyde treated; and house moved or cleaned.

For getting such service, those who can speak Chinese please call 0431-96128, while those who cannot please make reservations in English through the WeChat Store “Service Platform of New Culture News”.

To ensure the degree of satisfaction, fast response and door-to-door service will be provided at the earliest possible time after such reservations are made. All personnel are certified, wearing uniforms and service cards will be provided as proof of guaranty.

The Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City and Donna’s Mandarin have created an information platform. Founded in 2011, Donna’s Mandarin provides five parts of businesses, including Language Training, Art Training, Life Service, Activity Organizing and CC EXPAT Public Platform (Life Guide for Foreigners in Changchun City). The language training courses include Chinese, English and German. The art training is divided into two groups for adults and children respectively, including the courses of oil painting class, traditional Chinese painting and Taiji for adults, and oil painting, art enlightenment, dance, music, swimming and physical education for kids. The activities to be carried out by the two sides will be mainly organized by the government and undertaken by Donna’s Mandarin. The WeChat Account of Donna’s Mandarin is complementary to its service platform, making information exchanging more smooth and timely.

The WeChat Account of Donna’s Mandarin will regularly update news on cultural and recreational activities in Changchun City, such as Sculpture Park Summer Festival, Summer Lantern Festival at Changchun Film Studio, Hiking at Jingyue Park, etc. The platform will also provide life service information about shopping malls, specialty restaurants, surrounding tourist attractions, etc. Since established, the platform has provided convenience for the foreigners in Changchun City and meanwhile enriched their cultural life.

It can serve Audi (China), FAW-VW, CRRC -Bombardier, Webasto, Bosch and other automotive companies as well as Yatai Football Club.

In addition to life service and information platforms, more intimate and thoughtful medical services will soon be made available at some local self-recommended major medical institutions after being approved by the authority and licensed by CCFAO before the end of this year.

In the future, the Fraternity for Foreign Friends in Changchun City will perform functions and organize activities in accordance with the constitution of the organizing committee, such as the upcoming outdoor party which will be organized in such a way with which the foreigners are most familiar to reduce distance, increase intimacy, enhance vitality and create a sound International environment for life, work and study.