FM, diplomats mark founding of service bureau

Joined by hundreds of high-level foreign diplomats, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions (BSBDM) on Friday.

The bureau has made important contributions to China's diplomatic efforts in the last year, and the 50th anniversary can be a new beginning for it to make further progress, Yang said at the celebration party.

The BSBDM was founded in 1962 as a subordinate organization of the Foreign Ministry, in charge of providing services to foreign embassies, foreign news agencies and international organizations in China.

The bureau now provides comprehensive foreign affairs services including human resources, real estate, hotels and catering, civil engineering construction, property management and the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language.

There are many corporations and institutions under the BSBDM, including Beijing Personnel Service Corporation for Diplomatic Missions, Beijing Housing Service Corporation for Diplomatic Missions, China Jiaoyuan Corporation for International Economic and Technical Cooperation, Beijing Comprehensive Service Corporation for Diplomatic Missions and Beijing Language and Cultural Center for Diplomatic Missions.

Ambassadors from more than 90 countries, including Australia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Pakistan, Iceland, Greece and Yemen, attended the party, as well as more than 400 high-level diplomats from countries such as the United States and international organizations and institutions such as the International Monetary Fund.

Qian Hongshan, director-general of the bureau, said he appreciates the support from past years. The bureau has built a bridge of friendship linking all corners of the world and contributed to the promotion of friendly relations between China and other countries, Qian said.

The bureau will make further efforts to provide better services for diplomats, Qian said.

The party, held in the 21st Century Theatre in Beijing, was titled "Light of Friendship". Spouses of some African ambassadors, including those from Benin and Botswana, performed African dances in national dresses for the party.