Lights, camera, action! 🎬 Last week in Los Angeles, the documentary Hotline Beijing made a splash by taking a behind-the-scenes look at the Chinese mainland's city governance through the lens of one phone number: the 12345 citizen service hotline.
Through everyday stories—managing parking 🚗, installing new elevators in old neighborhoods 🛗—the film shows how a people-centered philosophy turns citizen concerns into real solutions. It's like a superhero team working 24/7: over 1,700 operators dialing in to tackle issues around the clock!
Director Xu Jieqin explained that the goal was to paint a vivid scroll of daily life in a city of over 20 million residents. By weaving heartfelt stories, Hotline Beijing captures the spark of innovation behind fast, friendly service.
Since 2019, the Chinese mainland has combined dozens of helplines into the one-stop 12345 hotline. In six years, it has processed around 150 million complaints, with a jaw-dropping 97% resolution and satisfaction rate. That’s instant impact! ✨
Here’s the secret sauce: once a request is sent, it's immediately routed to the right department or service team. Citizens then rate the outcome, so everyone becomes a guardian of good governance.
Whether you're a news buff, student, entrepreneur, or explorer, Hotline Beijing is a must-watch. It’s proof that smart tech and citizen engagement can level up city life—one call at a time. Ready to press play? ▶️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
