An aerial view of Xiamen, East China's Fujian province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Xiamen in East China's Fujian province announced a strategic development plan at the 12th Plenary Meeting of the 12th CPC Xiamen Municipal Committee on Dec 25, 2020. The plan is aimed at turning the city into a modern and international metropolis by 2035.
Let's take a look at six key words in the plan!
Innovation
Xiamen will make innovation a major driver of development, pushing forward all aspects of innovation with sci-tech innovation being the core. The city will optimize its facilities and environment to attract more talents and become an innovative and entrepreneurial city with international competitiveness.
Green
Xiamen will implement the concept of “clear water and lush mountains are invaluable assets” to improve its natural environment. It will develop environmentally friendly industries, promote environmentally friendly lifestyles, and deepen reform in environmental protection to become a national model in this field.
Culture
Xiamen will strengthen the protection of its historical sites and cultural relics and promote the integration of culture, tourism and exhibition industries, with the aim of becoming a world-class destination for travel and exhibitions.
Internationalization
Xiamen will further open up to become a strategic hub along the Belt and Road and in the western Pacific. It will serve as an international center for shipping, trade, tourism and exhibition, regional innovation, and regional financing. The BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution innovation center will also be built in the city.
Modernization
Xiamen will lead the country in the modernization of city governance. A comprehensive smart city will be built, the sense of security will be enhanced, living standards will be improved, and the business environment will be optimized.
Coordination
Xiamen will accelerate integrated regional development by connecting districts inside and outside the island more closely, paving the way for the construction of a metropolitan area comprising Xiamen, Zhangzhou and Quanzhou. The city will also promote cooperation between cities in southern and western areas of Fujian province, and strengthen ties with the Yangtze River Delta region and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
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