Taicang builds favorable environment for foreign residents, businesses

Staff members at the Taicang Foreign Nationals Service Center provide services to expats. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

With more than 1,800 foreign enterprises established and over 1,000 foreign residents living in Taicang, the city has become one of China's most internationally connected county-level cities.

Behind the growing international presence is the city's long-term effort to improve services for foreigners and create a welcoming environment where overseas visitors can feel a sense of belonging.

On March 31, 2025, the Taicang Foreign Nationals Service Center opened, integrating 73 service functions related to foreign affairs and administrative services. The center provides one-stop support for foreign residents and companies in areas including business operations, trade and investment, daily life and tourism.

More than a year after its launch, the center has continued to expand its services. Professional organizations such as Yingke Law Firm have been introduced to provide on-site legal consultation, financial services and talent resource matching.

The center's services have also been extended online via a WeChat mini-program that integrates 38 administrative services, including work permits and entrepreneurship services. Users can easily access application guides and consultation hotlines through the platform.

To further improve convenience for foreign residents, Taicang police and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China launched the Hi Taicang Card, which can be used for payments, hotel stays, transportation, tourism and other daily activities.

As of March this year, more than 80 foreigners had received the card, with the city aiming to eventually cover all long-term foreign residents by the end of this year.

Among the first users was German entrepreneur Philipp Zorn. On the day he received the card, he unlocked a public bicycle, borrowed a German-language book from the library and took a bus home — all with a single card.

People have a meeting at the Taicang Procuratorate's PRO German Enterprise Service Center. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Beyond convenient daily services, Taicang has also developed a professional service ecosystem tailored to foreign businesses. The Taicang Procuratorate's PRO German Enterprise Service Center provides full life-cycle legal services for German companies, while a judicial service workstation focuses on intellectual property protection, a top concern for German enterprises. The SEE German Enterprise Service Station also offers networking and office support services.

The Rothenburg Street in Taicang, Suzhou. [Photo/WeChat account: tcfbgw]

Taicang is also known for its distinctive German-style living circle. One of the city's best-known landmarks is the Rothenburg Street, built as a 1:1 recreation inspired by the German town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Visitors can experience German cuisine, beer, hotels and cultural activities there, making it an important venue for China-Germany cultural exchanges.

In addition, Taicang High-Tech Industrial Development Zone has hosted the Taicang Beer Carnival for 20 consecutive sessions, helping German lifestyle and culture take root in Taicang.