Two expats receive permanent residency permits in Yiwu on April 27. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

The public security bureau in Yiwu, Zhejiang province granted permanent residency permits to seven foreigners on April 27.

"19 years ago, I came to Yiwu from Malaysia. Today, I have finally received my permanent residency permit in China," said Kok Chit Hock, a Malaysian merchant after receiving his permanent residency permit.

Yiwu has in recent years been taking steps to improve its services to expats. Thanks to streamlined procedures, companies now need to spend only one morning to complete the necessary formalities to help their foreign employees attain a residency permit.

According to Song Yinzhai, the director of the municipal public security bureau, 268 residency permits have been issued to foreign nationals since the beginning of this year.

Authorities have also promoted the construction of immigration service sites, facilitated the integration of foreigners into the local communities, and pioneered the issuance of "foreign merchant friend cards".

To date, 297,000 such cards, which provide foreigners access to financial services, social security, and international trade-related applications, have been issued.

Yiwu is the world's largest distribution center for small commodities. The city maintains close trade relations with over 230 countries and regions, and currently has more than 10,000 foreigners residing in it.