Rachel Bedlington (C), Canadian consul general in Guangzhou, purchases Canadian cherries at the commodities fair. [Photo from xmfo.gov.cn]
After the announcement in July that Xiamen Airlines will open a direct flight to Vancouver, Canada, a series of promotional events have been taking place around the Southeast China coastal city.
The events are co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Canada in Guangzhou, the Canadian Trade Office in Xiamen and the foreign and overseas Chinese affairs office (FOCA) of Xiamen.
Yang Jiaohong, deputy director of Xiamen’s FOCA, says the non-stop Xiamen-Vancouver flight is a good opportunity to drive tourism and business between the two cities. [Photo from xmfo.gov.cn]
The events will include a round table meeting, commodities fair and a gourmet food festival.
The Xiamen-Vancouver flight, the first non-stop flight linking Fujian province with North America, was launched this July. Yang Jiaohong, deputy director of Xiamen’s FOCA, said it is a good opportunity to promote tourism, business and cultural exchanges between the two cities.
The bilateral trade volume between Xiamen and Canada topped 9.22 billion yuan ($1.39 billion) last year and from January to May this year accounted for 3.32 billion yuan, according to local authorities.
Schedule:
Canada Gourmet Festival
Date: July 24-August 7
Add: Le Meridien Xiamen, Guanjun Road, Huli district
Tel: 0592-7709999
Canada Petty Commodities Fair
Date: July 25-August 7
Add: Merry Season, SM Lifestyle Center
Tel: 0592-5608188
"This is Canada" round-table conference
Date: July 25
Time: 15:00-17:25
Add: 3rd floor, Crowne Plaza Hotel Paragon Xiamen
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
