HSC Hosts Reception for Diplomatic Missions 2018
2018-04-27

With support from the DSB-HSC leadership and collaboration of all related departments, the Beijing Housing Service Corporation for Diplomatic Missions (HSC) hosted Reception for Diplomatic Missions 2018 at the Function Room of the Liangmaqiao Diplomatic Office Building on 22 March 2018. Some 30 ambassadors, for instance from Cyprus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Belgium, Maldives, Chile, Chad, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, among others, and nearly 400 diplomats, representatives and journalists from some 120 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Italy, Spain, Japan and ROK, international organizations and international media graced the occasion with their presence and families, making it the largest number ever for such an occasion. Mr. Yuan Weimin, Ms. Jiang Qi, Mr. Su Wen, Mr. Cheng Jie, Mr. Gao Yu and Mr. Chen Chuang, DSB director general and deputy directors general, senior HSC officials and other departmental executives and staff took part in the event. 

Mr. Zhang Yue, HSC general manager, opened the reception by extending his welcome to the guests. He reflected on the continuous improvement and growth of the Diplomatic Residence Compounds (DRCs) since the annual event was first initiated a decade ago, indicating the DRC-diplomatic mission friendship was going from strength to strength. He announced the imminent completion of the New Building 12 and commencement of construction of the International Cultural Exchange Center for Diplomatic Missions at the Qijiayuan DRC. By integrating all the resources and leveraging the DRC brand name’s edge, the HSC was committed to providing more value-added services in 2018. 

In his address, Mr. Yuan said, being the 40^th anniversary of China’s reform and opening, the year 2018 would see Big Country Diplomacy of Chinese Characteristics entering into a new era, in which the diplomatic community-oriented service would strive to offer newer and greater satisfactions to the customers. The DSB was aiming at providing all-inclusive, high quality and professional services to the international diplomatic community, coupled with traditional Chinese culture promoting, “China storytelling” and brand name building. More cultural and sports events would be organized for the diplomatic community for it to have a deeper understanding of the host country and increasing endeavors would be made to promote friendship and cooperation between China and the rest of the world. Cultural events in greater diversity and in all forms would be made available to share the Chinese style and way of life with our fellow human beings all over the world.

A PR & Sales representative made a PPT presentation on the New Building 12 and International Cultural Exchange Center for Diplomatic Missions at the Qijiayuan DRC. Being strategically located and completed with a wide variety of well-designed and smartly-equipped apartments, for example the PM2.5 eliminator, the new building had already aroused immense attention from the potential customers. As the only new structure permitted to be erected inside the 4^th Ring Road of Beijing in 2018 by the municipal government, the Qijiayuan International Cultural Exchange Center for Diplomatic Missions would be a combination of apartment building and cultural display venue with state-of-the-art supporting facilities designed under the guidance of Mr. Jing Shangyi and Mr. Cao Yiqiang, world renowned artists, that had won extensive market acclaims and applauses. 

The Beijing International Club followed up with a briefing on its new office building under construction that would be a quality and environment-friendly establishment and also announced that the by-street between the St Regis Hotel and Jianwai DRC leading to the Chang’an Avenue was eventually open for traffic, as well as the hotelier’s special offers to the diplomatic community. The Guo Yi Hui Traditional Chinese Medicine Service, a member of the DRC Affiliated Business Association, emphasized on its multilingual service for expatriates in the presentation. 

The PR & Sales representative then continued to introduce the New Building 12’s e-brochure and drew attention of numerous attendees who scanned the barcode with their cells to learn more about the details. The interest in the presentation was so strong that many took shots with their mobiles. Being highly interested, the Romanian ambassador made an appointment with the PR & Sales to have a tour of the new building, on the spot. Other guests made inquiries about the traditional Chinese medicine service with the Guo Yi Hui specialists and many came up to thank the HSC for offering such diverse services to the clients.

Forbidden City designed souvenirs of folding fans and Beijing art works were presented. The DSB and HSC executives took the opportunity to connect with the emissaries for closer relations, as the envoys congratulated them on the success of the reception. The ambassadors from Bosnia Herzegovina and Chile exchanged views with Mr. Yuan and presented their appreciation for the DSB-HSC achievements in public diplomacy, commenting that that had offered multiple channels for the diplomatic community to acquaint itself with China and pledged readiness to enter into deeper cooperation with the DSB. The Algerian and Slovenian ambassadors conversed with Ms. Jiang Qi to thank the DSB and HSC for offering a platform of exchange that provided information on the newly available services, declaring that they were eagerly looking forward to taking part in the diverse cultural events to be organized by the DRC. The party attendees came to thank the DSB-HSC unanimously for the dedicated services provided for the diplomatic community and were confident that greater achievements would be made. 

New achievements will definitely be made with concerted efforts and devotion of all HSC departments. With increasing dedication and innovation, the diplomatic community-oriented service will go deeper, broader and stronger to serve the country’s diplomatic pursuit. 

Taking this opportunity, we would like to give our heartiest thanks to the Liangmaqiao DRC Property Management, Fire Fighting and Security Department, HSC Youth League Committee and St. Regis Hotel as well as all departments involved for their kind support and cooperation. The event was covered live by the invited reporters from the China.com.cn.