Beijing's first international community appears

    Beijing's first international community   appear in Maizidian area of Chaoyang District, sources with the district said on Friday.

    Foreign inhabitants in the area may join the local neighborhood committee and participate in the community's supervisory work, the sources added.

    At present, there are approximately 7,800 foreign inhabitants in Maizidian, or some 20 percent of the area's total population.

    According to local government officials of Chaoyang District, from now on to 2008, infrastructures at Maizidian will be jacked up to international standards, providing all residents with world-class public services.

    Both Chinese and English languages will be used for road signs and house-number plates at Maizidian. Bilingual signs will also bearranged for 410 houses for rent at the area.

    Besides, the Chaoyang-park avenue in Maizidian will be built into a bustling commercial street in western style, fitted with bilingual road signs and billboards.