First Belt and Road shipping route opens in Xiamen

Costa Romantica from Italian luxury cruise manufacturer Costa sets sail from Xiamen for Southeast Asia on March 8. [Photo/ xmnn.cn]

The Costa Romantica luxury cruise liner, made by Italian luxury liner manufacturer Costa, opened a new shipping route along the Belt and Road countries, the first of its kind in China, when it set sail from Xiamen on March 8.

The 56,000-ton luxury liner, carrying 1,800 tourists, will stop in the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Julius Caesar A. Flores, consul-general of the Philippines in Xiamen, said that the cruise industry has seen rapid development not only in China, but also in the Philippines and he expects more cruises shuttle between the two countries.

Chi Chiew Sum, consul-general of Singapore in Xiamen, commented that such a route's opening first in Xiamen reflects the important role the coastal city has played in the Belt and Road Initiatives.

He hopes for further cooperation between Xiamen International Cruise Home Port Co and the Singapore Cruise Center.

SuperStar Gemini from Hong Kong's cruise company Star Cruises, Costa Pacifica from Costa, Golden Era from Shanghai Skysea Co and other liners are set to sail from Xiamen, and will set a new annual record for the city's liners, according to Xiamen International Cruise Home Port Co.