On September 10, the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) kicked off at Shougang Park. This year, the International Web Portal of Beijing set up booths at both Hall 11 (main venue) and the Colourful World (a constituent event of the fair) exhibition area in Hall 9. Interactive activities were organized, including gift giveaways for new followers of the "BeijingService" WeChat account and WeChat account/web portal promoters. A dedicated promotion session for the two platforms was also held on the main stage of the Colourful World, introducing their highlights in investment attraction, cultural tourism, and government services.

As Beijing's international service gateway, the International Web Portal of Beijing operates in nine languages: English, Korean, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and Portuguese. It provides foreigners in Beijing with a wide range of convenient services spanning payment, transportation, studying, daily life, tourism, and company setup, among others. The "BeijingService" WeChat account focuses on topics of interest to foreigners in Beijing, such as policies, weather forecast, and weekend travel tips. It is widely regarded by expatriates as an essential guide for life in Beijing.

At both booths, a great number of foreign visitors scanned QR codes to access the website and follow the WeChat account. They expressed their appreciation for the two platforms' convenient services. Some loyal users shared their own user experiences on-site.

James, a visitor from Pakistan, during an interview

James, a long-time resident in Beijing from Pakistan, said he turns to the "BeijingService" WeChat account and its followers’ group chat for the latest event information. He noted that the account keeps foreigners in Beijing up to date with weather alerts, travel tips, and job information, making life much easier for them.

Juliet Ebele, a student from Nigeria, during an interview

Juliet Ebele, a student from Nigeria, said that she often checks "BeijingService" for updates on local events—and that is how she learned about this year’s CIFTIS. She added that she would recommend all her foreign friends in Beijing to use the website and follow the WeChat account.

George (left) and Daniel, two tourists from Slovakia, during an interview

The two platforms have also attracted many new users with their great variety of contents and one-stop services.

Slovak tourist George, who visited Beijing for the first time, shared that he discovered plenty of helpful travel tips on the International Web Portal of Beijing, which served as a valuable guide for his journey in the city.

Ayizha (left), Amina (middle), and Ali, three visitors from Pakistan, during an interview

Ali, Ayizha and Amina, three Pakistani visitors attending the fair together, expressed admiration for the comprehensive and practical information available via the two platforms after exploring their services on-site. They said that the platforms’ practical guides for daily life, including SIM card registration and bank account opening, as well as information on employment and studying, met their immediate needs. They added that they would continue to use these resources in the future.

(Source: CRI Online)