China News Service, Changsha, July 6th (Liu Zhuozhi, Zhang Canqiang) Today, the reporters learned from CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as CRRC ZELC) that Norberthorst Knuetter, a German engineer of CRRC ZELC, recently obtained a foreigner’s residence card from Chinese government, becoming the first foreign “high-speed rail worker” who holds a “Chinese Green Card” within CRRC Co., Ltd..
In recent years, the manufacturing level of China's rail transit equipment has improved continuously, promoting products to “go global” while attracting talents to “bring in”. Taking CRRC ZELC as an example, it not only exports products to nearly 20 countries on 4 continents, but also attracts 8 senior foreign experts to join in.
Norberthorst Knuetter, 64-year old, is one of them. Served in the Mass Transit Division of CRRC ZELC, he is an welding technology expert in the field of rail transit locomotives, overcoming technical barriers such as enterprise-exported stainless steel metro vehicles welding technology. In 2013, Norberthorst won the "Chinese Government Friendship Award", the highest award granted by Chinese government to foreign experts.
In the past years, Norberthorst had to go through residence registration formalities annually. He also needed to apply for a visa to and from Central Europe each time. It is often necessary for him to prepare various materials one month in advance. Therefore, getting a “Chinese Green Card” became his wish. In 2017, Norberthorst submitted an application for residence in China to the Registration and Exit&Entry Administration Bureau, Public Security Department, Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province.
In 2018, China’s State Immigration Administration was formally established and optmized review process for foreigners to apply for residence. Norberthorst, as the first foreigner who obtained a residence permit in Zhuzhou City since the establishment of the new institution, experienced the one-to-one service provided by local public security department.