Community cops build harmonious society

Officers in Beijing work to solve crimes and resolve disputes between locals and foreign nationals

Helping foreign residents with their daily affairs occupies much of the working day for Yan Xinzhuo, a community police officer in Beijing.

The 30-year-old native of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region works in Huaqingjiayuan community, Haidian district. The community, which has about 11,000 residents, is close to several universities that are home to about 400 foreign students.

Beijing is working hard to promote services for foreign nationals in fields such as community living, visa applications and residence permit applications, according to the Entry-Exit Administration of the Beijing Public Security Bureau. Thousands of community police officers like Yan are working to create a better living environment.

Having worked in the district for more than six years, Yan has overseen several community promotions. On occasion, he has to attend training sessions or help with emergencies, but he usually arrives at the police station at 7:30 am to begin patrolling the streets.

The heavy workload means he sometimes misses the last subway to his dormitory 8 kilometers away, so occasionally he sleeps in a 5-square-meter meeting room in the station. "I need to be available at the police station every minute, so I can aid those who need help immediately," he said.

Huaqingjiayuan was once home to more than 1,200 people from 49 countries and regions, and though many have moved to areas with lower rents, about 400 foreign residents from 17 countries still live there.