A visit to a McDonald's in downtown Beijing took a French couple on a trip down memory lane --to a time when their purchase of two hamburgers and a glass of Pepsi, at the price of 20.1 RMB yuan (about 2.4 US dollars), would have had to be paid in foreign exchange certificates.

Now foreigners can pay not only in local currency (RMB) for all their expenses in China, including park entrance and railway and air tickets, but at the same price as the Chinese.

Millions of overseas tourists in every corner of China now benefit from fair treatment in traveling, accommodation, purchasing and telecommunications, while in the past they would have paid sometimes double the price for Chinese citizens.

A businessman from the Republic of Korea recently realized his long-time dream when be bought an apartment in Beijing formerly only sold to Chinese citizens.

A well-known bystreet in Beijing has seen a sudden surge in the number of foreign residents as dozens of families from Britain, the United States, Germany and Japan have moved into local rented houses. Previously, foreigners could only live in specially designated hotels or apartments.

With the development of the Chinese economy and opening-up policy, a growing number of foreigners work and live in China long-term. Figures show over 50,000 foreigners are hanging up their hats in Beijing alone.

At present, approximately 16,000 foreigners in Beijing have work permits. Most of them are sent by their overseas firms, while many others work for local organizations and enterprises.

The story is the same in metropolises like Shanghai and Guangzhou -- tens of thousands of outlanders working and enjoying the same treatment as Chinese.

The fair treatment extends beyond employment to insurance and legal services. Foreigners can apply for legal aid if not able to pay lawyers fees, said an official with the Ministry of Justice. According to the non-discrimination principle of the World Trade Organization (WTO), both local residents of WTO nations and visitors should receive equal treatment in a country or region.

Since the launch of China's reform and opening-up policy in late 1970s, and especially since its WTO accession, foreigners have more access to the Chinese service industry including finance, insurance, telecommunications, transportation, legal services, construction, travel agencies, medical services and retail.

In some aspects, foreigners even enjoy some privileges and favorable treatment beyond that of locals. Currently more than 60,000 Chinese-funded enterprises are allowed to do foreign trade, while more than 200,000 overseas-funded firms setting up in China automatically received licenses to import and export.

Within three years, all enterprises in China are expected to enjoy full-fledged foreign trade rights.

Preferential policies for overseas-funded companies have contributed to the attraction of foreign funds, and will be gradually adjusted on the basis of market fairness, experts noted.

Whether in business, travel or daily life, China's opening up is benefiting both foreigners and Chinese alike.

( November 1, 2002)