During his visit to the Xiamen Ocean Gate Container Terminal in the Haicang district, which is China's first automated terminal, Barrow was briefed on its role in the implementation of China's Belt and Road Initiative. He also learned about the investment environment of the district and the development of the Xiamen area of the China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone.
Gambian President Adama Barrow visits the Xiamen Ocean Gate Container Terminal in the Haicang district, which is the first automated terminal in China. [Photo/xmfo.gov.cn]
The Gambian president also went on a sightseeing tour to the Gulangyu Island, where he enjoyed a glove puppet performance, a traditional opera popular in southern Fujian. He also visited the architecture museum and piano museum on the island.
Gambian President Adama Barrow visits the piano museum on the Gulangyu Island during his stay in Xiamen. [Photo/xmfo.gov.cn]
Before he came to Xiamen, Barrow was received by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Dec 21.
It was Barrow's first visit to China since diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of Gambia were resumed last year. The two countries established formal diplomatic links in 1974, but China suspended relations in 1995 when the west African country resumed their "diplomatic" ties with Taiwan. Gambia severed ties with Taiwan in 2013.
The resumption of diplomatic ties fully accords with the will of the Gambian people, Barrow said during his meeting with Xi.
China has decided to extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom starting from Feb 17.
Forty-one new port-of-entry duty-free shops have been established nationwide, with Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport, Xiamen Wutong Passenger Wharf, and Xiamen International Cruise Center included on the list.
