A view of Xiamen in East China's Fujian province. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]
Xiamen's reform heat index once again ranked first among 19 cities at the vice-provincial level or above nationwide in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to a report recently released by the China Society of Economic Reform.
The continued improvement in participation, responsiveness, and sense of achievement reflects the exemplary role of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone in comprehensively deepening reform, as well as the effective integration and efficient bond between reform and development.
Compiled by the China Society of Economic Reform, the index reflects the country's overall reform atmosphere in specific places or regions in six major fields: economics, politics, culture, society, environment and party building.
Xiamen is planning a new round of reforms among state-owned enterprises, investment in urban development investment, reforms in the financing system, and reforms in the scientific and technological innovation system.
Xiamen was selected as a "special case for the in-depth integration of local reform and development in the new era for 10 years". "Xiamen's acceleration in building world-class enterprises within the framework of serving and integrating into the new development paradigm" has been recognized as a "comprehensive deepening of reform at the city level in China in 2023".
The city's experience in reforming environmental zoning control and innovative full life-cycle service mechanisms for enterprises is being promoted nationwide.
Meanwhile, Xiamen has been approved as a comprehensive reform pilot and selected as part of the first batch of national pilot cities for the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, integrated development of domestic and foreign trade, a national comprehensive circulation strategic support city, a national pilot city for redeveloping low-efficiency land, and part of the first batch of national demonstration cities for infant and toddler care.
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.
