Xiamen in Fujian province sees a gradual recovery of its convention and exhibition industry. [Photo/IC]
Xiamen in Fujian province regards the exhibition industry as a vital platform for building a modern market system and an open economic system and is striving to boost the sector with internationalism, professionalism and market-oriented reform.
In 2022, Xiamen was ranked third in China in terms of the number of exhibitions held. From January to May, it had hosted 47 exhibitions and 1,580 conferences. The city held more than 30 activities and attracted about 1,000 exhibitors during this year's Xiamen International MICE Week, and seven exhibitions were held in April covering such fields as new energy, new materials, home goods and rural vitalization.
Chen Lisheng, president of Xiamen Convention & Exhibition Association, said that the Xiamen commerce bureau has organized promotion activities in cities such as Beijing and Hangzhou to expand the competitiveness and influence of Xiamen's exhibition industry since mid-February.
According to Chu Xiangyin, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, internationalization of the exhibition industry should involve the internationalization of concepts, talents and methods.
In the second half of this year, the fifth phase of the Xiamen International Convention and Exhibition Center and Xiamen International Expo Center in Xiang'an will be put into use. The city will continue to deepen its "industry plus exhibition" strategy and create an internationally influential and professional exhibition platform.
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.
