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The capital city of the People’s
Republic of China (PRC), Beijing (Peking) is a fast-growing,
dynamic metropolis that, while courting foreign businesses and
visitors, maintains a firm grip on its rich cultural heritage
and a strictly Communist social order. It is a monolithic
showcase that can give a distorted view of China to foreign
visitors.
Beijing is a modern city with
high-rise buildings, shopping malls and vast international
hotels connected by an intricate freeway system crisscrossing
the city. In the rush hour, traffic jams can match those of any
major city around the world and the ringing of mobile phones is
incessant. However, the modern buildings conceal traditional
hutongs, parks, numerous architectural treasure and exquisite
yellow-tiled temples whose prayer flags and wind chimes move in
the breeze created by the passing traffic.
Beijing became China’s capital in
1421 and was to remain so until the collapse of the imperial
regime in 1911. It was not until the late 19th century that
Westerners were allowed to reside there and all trading links
had previously been restricted to Canton. From 1911 to 1949
Beijing suffered, as did the rest of China, from the wars fought
between various factions trying to take control of the whole
country. The Japanese invasion in 1931 was followed by a bitter
civil war, which finally led to Communist supremacy under Mao
Tse Tung and the founding of the People’s Republic of China with
Beijing as the capital.
The first ten years of his rule were
successful in many ways. Stability returned to the whole country
and great advances were made in industry, agriculture, education
and health care. However, in 1966, Mao launched the Cultural
Revolution, an attack on his more liberal political colleagues,
which was to result in several years of anarchy throughout the
country. Following Mao’s death in 1976, China gradually began to
open up, welcoming foreigners as investors and as tourists and
local Chinese were granted permission to set up businesses.
Beijing is now keen to prove what a thriving commercial capital
it has become.
A good place to start exploring the
city is Tiananmen Square, where Mao Tse Tung declared the
foundation of the People’s Republic. Today, the Square is more
closely identified with the suppression of the student-led
pro-democracy protests of 1989. To stand – alongside thousands
of visitors – and see the imposing majesty of the Forbidden City
to the north and the vast portrait of Mao Tse Tung on the
Tiananmen Gate itself is to appreciate the awesome hold that
China’s rulers have always had on the people.
An unmissable experience is a
morning visit to one of Beijing’s public parks. This is when
people let their hair down by indulging in their particular
favorite physical activity, be it taichi, jogging, singing or
even ballroom dancing.
Beijing is at its best in late
spring and autumn. Autumn is a particularly pleasant time to
visit as the days are warm and the leaves of the many trees in
the city turn glorious shades of red and gold. The heat and
humidity of the summers and the biting wind in winter can be
extreme.
Area: 16,800 sq km (6552 sq mi)
Population:12 million
Country: People's Republic of China
People: 95% Han Chinese
Main language: Mandarin (putonghua)
Time zone: GMT/UTC plus 8 hours
Telephone area code: 010
Airport
Beijing Capital International Airport is one of China's major
gateways. It is 26 km. (about 40 minutes' ride) from the city
center.
Visas
L-visas for single or multiple entry for tourists are valid for
30 to 60 days.
F-visas for business travel can be valid up to 6 months but may
require the visitor to leave every 30 days. They are good for
single, double or multiple entry. Those seeking business visas
must obtain official invitation from a government office or a
company authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Currency
The RMB (Renminbi) is the official currency. The basic unit of
RMB is the yuan, also known as kuai, divided into 10 jiao, which
is again divided into 10 fen. Yuan notes come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50
and 100. Click here for currency conversion.
Credit Cards
In Beijing, most major credit cards -- including American
Express, Diner's Club, Federal Card, JCB, MasterCard and Visa --
are accepted at major hotels, restaurants and shops.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not expected in mainland China.For more
information on business and social etiquette in Beijing click
here.
Useful Numbers
Police: 110
Fire Department: 119
Ambulance: 120
Tourist Hotline: 6513-0828
Local directory assistance: 114 (Chinese); 2689-0114 (English)
International directory assistance: 100
Visa Card Hotline: 10-800-110-2911
MasterCard Hotline: 10-800-110-7309 (only in certain provinces)
Electricity
The voltage is 220 volts, 50 cycles. Most luxury hotels have
built-in converters in bathrooms for shavers, hair dryers, etc.
Otherwise, come equipped, because a wide variety of plug types
are in use.
Health Risks
Potable water is available only at top hotels, so visitors
should always ask to make sure. Prior to your trip, consult your
doctor on immunizations you might need (e.g. tetanus, typhoid,
cholera and hepatitis A and B) and about malaria suppressants if
you're planning to go to rural areas. Bring all prescription and
over-the-counter medicine you might require.
Time Zone
GMT + 8 hours, same as Singapore. The whole of China is set to
Beijing Time.
Business Hours
Offices in Beijing generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
with a lunch break of about an hour. Government-stipulated work
days are from Monday to Friday. Banking hours and days vary from
bank to bank in Beijing. However, most Chinese banks are open
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., and have branches that are open
on Saturdays and Sundays. Shops generally open at 9 a.m. and
close between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and are open on Sundays. For
more information on doing business in Beijing, click here.
Holidays
Jan. 1-2, New Year's Day; Jan. 24-26, Chinese New Year; March 8,
International Women's Working Day; May 1-2, International Labor
Day; May 4, Youth Day; June 1, Children's Day; July 1,
Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party; Aug. 1,
Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Liberation Army;
Oct. 1-2, National Day.
Click here for more information on Chinese customs and culture.
Climate
Extremely diverse, from tropical in the south to sub-arctic in
the north. Beijing has a continental monsoon climate with
clear-cut seasons. Spring is dry and windy. Summer is hot and
humid. Autumn offers the best weather, with generous sunshine.
In winter, the city is severely affected by freezing winds from
Siberia. Click here for 3-day weather forecast for Beijing.
Clothing
Normal Western business attire is considered appropriate for
doing business in China.
GDP Growth Rate
7.1% in 1999, from 7.8% in 1998
7%-7.5% growth forecast for 2000
Inflation rate
-0.8% (1998 est.)
Major Exports
Electrical machinery and equipment, machinery and mechanical
appliances, textiles, garments, footwear, toys and sporting
goods, household electrical appliances, telecommunication
equipment, pharmaceuticals, steel products, general metalwares,
coal, feeding stuffs
Major Trading Partners
United States, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, UK,
Singapore, Taiwan, Russia
Major Industries
Iron and steel production; machine-building; production of coal,
armaments, textiles and apparel, petroleum, cement, chemical
fertilizers, footwear, toys, autos, consumer electonics and
telecommunication equipment; food processing
Government
Communist state. President and vice-president elected by the
National People's Congress for five-year terms. Administrative
divisions: 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions and 5
municipalities
Teledensity
14.4 persons per telephone
Geography
China is located in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea,
Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea
and Vietnam.
Population
1,246,871,951 (July 1999 est.)
Ethnic Groups
Han Chinese: 91.9%; Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao,
Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities: 8.1%
Language
The official language is Mandarin (or Putonghua, based on the
Beijing dialect). Local dialects include Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese),
Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka
dialects, and other minority languages. Most tourist hotels have
staff who are fluent in foreign languages.
Literacy Rate
81.5% of total population
Religion
China is officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic and
eclectic. Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism and Islam are practiced by
about 2%-3% of the population; Christianity by 1%. |