Xiamen hosts global development symposium

Xiamen's Commerce bureau recently hosted this year's China-Thailand Economic and Trade Matchmaking Event. The Royal Thai Consulate-General in Xiamen supported the event. Companies announcing contracts during the event included Xiamen C&D Hi-Tech and GoldenHome Cabinets. The Asean Cultural and Economic Exchange Center also announced an agreement with Thailand Borthong Industrial Estate.

Recently, a migratory turnstone bird with a band on its leg was spotted in the waters near Xiangan. The turnstone spotted this time was banded ten years ago and is considered an elderly bird by avian enthusiasts.

A turnstone can migrate more than 4,000 kilometers in as little as four days, making it one of the fastest migrating birds. Because Xiamen is located on an avian migration route linking eastern Asia with Australasia, many birds like the turnstone frequent the area during their migratory journey.

Local authorities announced last week that the portion of the Fuzhou-Xiamen high-speed railway leading into the island of Xiamen officially passed static acceptance and in now in its trial phase. The route is China's first cross-sea railway. It will provide access for high-speed trains to the island of Xiamen.

The section currently in trial runs from the main line near the Xiamen North railway station. The railway includes dual tracks that run toward the island of Xiamen.

District officials recently inaugurated the Jimei District Garbage Sorting Education Center. Built by Jimei's landscaping bureau, the center is the largest district-level garbage sorting education center in the city.

The center is closed on Mondays and public holidays. Visitors are welcome between 8:30 a.m. and noon and between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling (592) 626-8070.

Ximane's Ocean Development Bureau announced that this year's moratorium on fishing in local waters began on May 1 and will run through August 16. All fishing boats and support boats are included in the ban.

Fishing ban violations can be reported by calling maritime law enforcement authorities at (592) 219-8110. The city's fishing port and boat management office can be reached at (592) 209-4780. The phone number for Xiangan's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau is (592) 788-9500.

City officials announced last week the launch of a series of cultural events and programs designed to appeal to tourists during this year's May Day holiday. The program includes 10 performance activities arranged by major local state-owned organizations. Other activities include the Gulangyu Poetry Festival, with events spread throughout Xiamen and on Gulangyu itself. The event includes 30 interactive poetry punch points based on poems related to Gulangyu. More than a dozen pop-up shops featuring items such as coffee and tea are also tied to poetry.

Local Customs officials announced that Xiamen has issued 24,000 RCEP certificates of origin with a value of more than 10 billion yuan since the agreement came into effect at the beginning of 2022. An RCEP certificate of origin permits export companies to enjoy tariff reductions of more than 100 million yuan in importing countries.

Preliminary evaluations recently wrapped up for the Golden Dolphin awards of the 15th annual Xiamen International Animation Festival. The awards celebrate animated works and their creators. A total of 318 works advanced to the final review stage, including 105 animations and 213 cartoons.

The city of Xiamen sponsors the competition, which is co-organized by the China Branch of the International Animation Association. The Golden Dolphin animation competition feature nine awards and a total of 1.3 million yuan in prize money. Animators submitted more than 2,600 entries from dozens of countries. The totals include more than 2,400 domestic and 200 overseas submissions.

The Jiean passenger catamaran ferry recently docked at Wutong's passenger terminal. The high-speed vessel officially debuts today on the Xiamen-Jinmen ferry route. The blue-and-white catamaran has the largest carrying capacity of passenger ships that ply the route. The high-end ship features three different cabin areas for economy, business and VIP classes.