“I want to take a moment to thank Zhejiang provincial government for all the convenient service they’ve provided, particularly during my latest application of the passport,” said Yang Surong, a returned overseas Chinese in Qingtian County of Zhejiang Province, in an appreciation letter to All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. The letter was reported by Zhejiang Daily on October 6, 2017.

It all started from June 2017 when Yang was frustrated over the application of a new passport for her newborn baby who was brought back with him to Qingtain with only a travel document issued by the overseas embassy. Beset with procedures, Yang turned to his friend for help. He was invited immediately by the friend to a local “One Visit at Most” online Wechat group and provided with detailed handling instructions.

Yang on June 28 carried his daughter to the reception hall of Exit-Entry Administration of Qingtian County Public Security Bureau, where the staff members greeted them with warm smile and guided Yang through the dealings, including printing and filling out applications.

What he did not expect was that all the application, registration and payment were managed in just 10 minutes!

Qingtian County of Zhejiang Province was once called "the closest place to globalization" as it has over 300 years' history of migration and is home to another 330,000 people who live in 128 countries and regions around the world. In light of the special environment, the local government has made efforts to promote the “One Visit at Most” reform and rolled out innovative measures to better the service mechanism for the returned overseas Chinese, creating for them more simplified and effective affairs handling services.

In the past, dealing with issues such as permit-issuing, registration, accreditation and approval of projects took people much labor and time. Visiting various departments, enduring redundant application process and collecting a bunch of material to accomplish requests were common things. Things have changed with the launch of the“One Visit at Most” reform around the province. The reform facilitated by the “Internet government services” has standardized the administrative procedures and effectively regulated and supervised the government’s power operation.

"We are promoting the online procedures handling services. From passport application to Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao endorsement obtaining, all the process can be done via the Internet: the application can be reserved online and the document sent to applicants via delivery services. We are posting relevant news and policies on new media platforms such as Wechat to make it easier for the oversea Chinese to get useful information,” said Ye Weiwen, an official in Exit-Entry Administration of Qingtian County Public Security Bureau. Starting from June 2017, they have established a Wechat group to provide consultations for the overseas Chinese.

“Zhejiang’s ‘One Visit at Most’ reform is closely related to people's lives and is virtually benefitting the overseas Chinese. And I hope more people can learn about this exciting new change in China,” Yang told Zhejiang Daily reporter.

The latest data show that the reform has covered all the administrative services related to overseas Chinese in Qingtian County. Up to now, the “One Visit at Most” administrative handlings and dealings related to overseas Chinese in the county have amounted to 17,191.