New Zealand's ambassador to China visits Xiamen

Xiamen officials pose for a group photo with a delegation led by John McKinnon, New Zealand's ambassador to China, on Sept 20. [Photo/ xmfo.gov.cn]

Xiamen vice-mayor Han Jingyi extended a warm welcome to a delegation led by John McKinnon, New Zealand's ambassador to China, on Sept 20.

The coastal city in East China's Fujian province is a sister city of Wellington, capital of New Zealand, and the two cities have long maintained frequent exchanges and close cooperation.

Han briefed the delegation on Xiamen's economic and social development.

Designated as one of the earliest special economic zones in China, Xiamen has taken on a sound momentum of growth in the past three decades, according to Han. Being a beautiful garden city, Xiamen is brimming with development opportunities, Han said.

McKinnon spoke highly of the impressive changes that have taken place in Xiamen. He also invited Xiamen to send a delegation to the Second China-New Zealand Mayoral Forum to be held in Wellington in December.

Both sides expressed eagerness to expand cooperation in sectors such as environment protection, tourism and education, as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of sister city ties between the two cities.

Li Xiaoping, director of the Xiamen foreign and overseas Chinese affairs office, also attended the meeting.