Costa neoRomantica, a cruise operated by Costa Group. [Photo/gcaptain.com]
A cultural and artistic exchange and promotion activity, featuring South Fujian's cultural elements and Xiamen's involvement in the implementation of China's Belt and Road Initiative, will be held on Costa neoRomantica's deck starting March 22.
This is the country's first cultural and artistic promotion event to be held on a cruise. It is organized by the Xiamen Municipal Commission of the Tourism Development, Xiamen Culture, Radio and Television, Press and Publication Bureau. Xiamen Port Holding Group is behind the idea of the cultural and artistic tour.
The cruise will depart Xiamen on a voyage to Manila, Boracay, Brunei and Sabah, where many overseas Chinese gather.
Organizers reveal that the climax of the cultural tour will include performances of glove puppetry and Nanyin music, a traditional opera sung in the southern Fujian dialect that has existed for more than 1,000 years. Nanyin, one of the oldest forms of Chinese music preserved in its original state, was listed in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009, bringing it international attention.
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.
