More than 60,000 Chinese are now employed in over 13,000 foreign companies and organizations based in China, according to the China Association of Foreign Service Agencies.

The association was established in December 1989 to meet the demands of the increasing number of foreign companies coming to China, and the organization now has 72 member agencies throughoutthe country.

The first foreign service agency opened in Beijing in 1979 when China began its reform and opening-up policy.

After ten years of reform and development, the number of foreign service agencies in China increased to 30 in 1989, providing over 4,000 Chinese employees for some 2,600 foreign companies and organizations.

Since its founding, the association has promulgated a series of rules and regulations to coordinate relations between Chinese employees and foreign companies, protecting the interests of both sides, association officials said.

It has played an important role in promoting economic and trade cooperation between China and other countries and improving conditions for foreign investment in China, they added.