This month, the documentary Hotline Beijing made its global debut with screenings in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, drawing praise for its fresh take on urban governance. 🏙️✨
Produced by China Media Group (CMG), the film highlights Beijing’s 12345 public service hotline—a lifeline for residents to report issues, from potholes to policy concerns. Through seven real-life stories, it showcases how the city tackles problems with a ‘people-first’ approach, blending efficiency and empathy.
Global Audiences Take Note
In St. Petersburg (Nov. 18), over 30 officials and academics called the hotline a ‘window into Chinese wisdom’, while Addis Ababa’s screening (Nov. 21) saw 150 guests, including Addis Ababa University President Samuel Kifle, applaud its relevance amid rapid urbanization. 🌍 ‘No concern is too small,’ noted one attendee, praising the model’s focus on equity.
Organizers say the film offers a blueprint for mega-cities worldwide—proving that listening to residents isn’t just good politics, it’s smart governance. 📞💡
