Books and maps launched to help foreigners access banking services

Finance for Foreigners: An Essential Guide (Foreigners Edition) and the online financial convenience service map were released on Sept 26, aiming to assist expatriates in financial transactions while showcasing the development of China's financial market.

Based on in-depth research on overseas individuals in China, the guide addresses the needs of foreign nationals and presents information in Chinese and English. Through five major scenarios of tourism, studying, daily life, business and overseas activities, it introduces aspects of life in China and abroad, from daily payments to investment and entrepreneurship.

With the aim of helping foreign nationals learn about the preferential policies of the Chinese financial market and assist students studying in China and business professionals living in the country in guarding against risks, its organizer tried to make it a portable guidebook.

The online financial convenience service map is embedded in the Jingrong Shouhu app, which mainly provides functions such as information queries and navigation. The map marks more than 4,000 bank branches in the Beijing area, allowing users to inquire about branch names, distances and contact information. Users can also learn about special financial services and those for specific groups provided by the banks.

It also allows the users to evaluate the bank after receiving services, urging institutions to identify and resolve any service issues. English services are provided to meet the needs of foreign nationals.

The launch ceremony of the guide and map was aided by the Beijing branch of the National Financial Regulatory Administration and hosted by the Beijing Banking Association, the Beijing Insurance Association and the Beijing Insurance Intermediary Association.

In recent years, the Beijing branch of the National Financial Regulatory Administration has been implementing the requirements of the central government regarding opening-up in the financial sector and responding to the trend of financial internationalization.

It took multiple measures to enhance the convenience of financial services and initiated the financial convenience and public benefit demonstration service window. Currently, more than 1,700 banks and insurance branches in Beijing have met the demonstration service window standards.

Lu Jian, an official of the Beijing branch of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, said the writing of the finance guidebook series began in 2020. Its readers cover elementary school students, university students and the elderly. The foreigners edition released this time will act as a bridge connecting people of different ages and backgrounds. It will serve as an important carrier for popularizing financial knowledge and enhancing financial literacy. Its consumer-oriented content and straightforward explanations are also attracting readers' attention, he said.

Bian Jian, deputy editor-in-chief of Beijing Radio and Television Station, said: "It is not just a book but also a warm signal, conveying Beijing's friendliness and welcoming spirit to international friends, as well as a commitment to building a fair, open and transparent financial environment."

In the future, the Beijing branch of the National Financial Regulatory Administration said it will continue to uphold the principle of opening-up and deepen financial education and publicity efforts. It will continue to work with parties from all walks of life to embrace new opportunities for global financial cooperation and promote the exchange and integration of financial cultures with more pragmatic measures.