Against the backdrop of booming Sino-African trade and economic relations, Guangzhou, one of China’s pivotal trading port cities, attracts a growing number of African entrepreneurs. They come to seek their fortunes in the city that has a favorable climate and more importantly global business prowess. While fueling the trade prosperity of Guangzhou, the arrival of these Africans also poses a growing pressure on city management. For local government, ensuring people of different cultures and nationalities live together harmoniously has remained a big challenge that requires a fine solution. ChinAfrica spoke to the Entry-Exit Administration of the Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau on the achievements Guangzhou has made and challenges it still faces in the administration of foreigners. Excerpts of the interview follow:

ChinAfrica: While promoting the trade prosperity of Guangzhou, what challenges do African business people bring to the city management? Entry-Exit Administration of Guangzhou:

Africans in Guangzhou are mainly engaged in trading miscellaneous commodities. The fact that some did make a fortune has misled many other Africans to regard Guangzhou as a place where making money is a simple process. But after arrival, they would find this is not true. For those without proper skills, it’s difficult to find a job. However, some of them refuse to go back with nothing achieved, and rather overstay their visas. Some even committed crimes like drug trafficking.

In 2013, Guangzhou detained more than 100 foreign suspects for allegedly trafficking drugs, with two thirds being Africans. Though small in number, they have put the whole African community into disrepute.

The facts that illegal intermediaries abroad make it easier for Africans without established status to come to China and that an increasing number of Africans doing business in Guangzhou live in surrounding cities beyond the administrative sphere of Guangzhou all exacerbate the difficulty of administration of these foreigners.

What measurements have you taken to deal with the challenges?

Through increasing communication with foreign residents over the past years, we have shifted our practice of administration from a crack-down approach to the current approach of peopleoriented service. We provide more considerate service to those who are engaged in legal business operations and cultural exchanges in Guangzhou, while continuing to crack down on those illegally entering, residing or working here.

More specifically, we establish community offices for foreigner assistance in any neighborhood where more than 200 foreigners reside, for the convenience of their daily needs like visa extensions and currency exchange.

We also have them involved in our endeavor to build harmonious neighborhoods, with an aim to help them better adapt to local life. Those who have lived in Guangzhou for a long time know more about Chinese laws and regulations and can speak fluent Mandarin are invited to be volunteers to help local police communicate with Africans who are in trouble, and better solve their problems.

On the first floor of every building in the neighborhood where foreigners live together with locals, there are electronic screens displaying safety tips and important notices, as well as reminders about expiry of visas. Such information is also printed in brochures displayed in the community offices (See box).

What suggestions would you give to Africans to help them adapt to local life?

We suggest they abide by the Chinese laws and regulations and get to know more about local culture and customs. It should be understood that not every foreigner could realize their dream of making a home here as China is currently not a country of immigrants.

Useful Contact Information

» Department in charge of visas application: Entry-Exit Administration of Guangzhou

Inquiry hotline: 8620-96110110

Address: 155 Jiefangnan Road, Guangzhou City

» Foreigners who wish to engage in manufacturing and business activities in Guangzhou must register with relevant authorities for a license.

This can be done at Guangzhou Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Address: 61 Huali Road, Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou City

Inquiry hotline: 8620-96633

Website: http://www.gzaic.gov.cn

» Foreigners who seek employment in China must first apply for a work permit. You can only begin working by first obtaining a work permit and residence permit.

This can be applied for at Guangzhou Labor and Employment Service

Administration Center.

Address: 148 Donghuanan Road, Guangzhou City

Inquiry hotline: 8620-83841733

» Foreigners who engage in trading and manufacturing, and have an income from their business in Guangzhou must pay income tax.

To register for tax, visit the Guangzhou Municipal Office of the State

Administration of Taxation.

Address: 3 Huaxia Road, Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou City

Inquiry hotline: 12366-1 or 2

Website: http://www.12366.gov.cn