Acting Thai Consul General in Xiamen Wanlapa Jitsomboon (left, first row), Philippine Consul General in Xiamen Maria Antonina Mendoza Oblena (middle, first row) and Singaporean Consul General in Xiamen Nelson Ng Chiun Ming (right, first row) promote local culture and tourism resources during a livestreaming event in Junying village in Xiamen on Jan 14. [Photo/xmnn.cn]
The government of Xiamen in East China's Fujian province held a meeting on Jan 14 to update foreign consul generals in the city about Xiamen's social and economic development in 2021 and the city's work plan in 2022.
Liao Huasheng, vice-mayor of Xiamen, told Singaporean Consul General in Xiamen Nelson Ng Chiun Ming, Philippine Consul General in Xiamen Maria Antonina Mendoza Oblena, and acting Thai Consul General in Xiamen Wanlapa Jitsomboon that Xiamen achieved its annual goals in 2021, and signed a slew of major projects.
Liao added that in 2021, the city's emerging industries such as biology and new medicine have seen rapid growth, Metro Line 3 and the Haicang Tunnel started operations, and 48 new kindergartens, primary and middle schools were built.
Liao also said that Xiamen will further deepen reform and opening-up in 2022, facilitate international communication and cooperation and improve people's living standards. He expressed hope that the consul generals would continue to support Xiamen's development.
Before the meeting, the consul generals also visited Junying village, Jimei New City and Xiamen Software Park to witness Xiamen's growth.
Junying village is the most remote village in Xiamen and is also the village with the highest elevation.
"The visit allowed me to learn about how people get rid of poverty and build a path to prosperity under the leadership of the Communist Party of China," said Singaporean Consul General in Xiamen Nelson Ng Chiun Ming.
During the trip, the consul generals also took part in a livestreaming event that promoted the village's culture and tourism and shared their views on Xiamen's rural revitalization in Chinese.
They said that Xiamen boasts abundant rural tourism resources and they hope more foreign tourists will visit the village to experience its unique culture and history.
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.
