Beijing

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 favourite physical activity, be it tai’chi, 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%.