Japanese region boosts cooperation with Xiamen

Representatives of Kyushu, the third largest island of Japan, in China visit Xiamen, Fujian province on Dec 19. [Photo/fo.xm.gov.cn]

Representatives of Kyushu, the third largest island of Japan, visited Xiamen, Fujian province on Dec 19, aiming to boost cooperation with the Chinese city.

"Xiamen has maintained close exchanges with Kyushu," said Kong Suting, deputy director of the Xiamen Friendship Association, at a meeting with the Japanese guests.

The coastal Japanese cities of Sasebo and Ginowan in Kyushu established a sister-city and a friendly-exchange relationship with Xiamen in 1983 and 1995 respectively.

The Japanese region's Kumamoto city has conducted exchanges with Xiamen since 2012, especially in sports and sightseeing. Two other Japanese cities in the region, Kushikino and Kanzaki, have also started communicating with the Chinese city.

Kong hopes that both parties will make good use of this visit to further promote their cooperation in other fields and expects the Japanese representatives in China to promote Xiamen in their hometown.

The representatives spoke highly of the achievements the Chinese city has made in urban construction and economic development.

They said that they are willing to advance both sides' communication by launching more exchange projects.

The Japanese guests also visited the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone and Gulangyu island, which was included as a world cultural heritage site in July 2017, during their stay in the city.

Kyushu island boasts abundant natural resources, including active volcanos, hot springs, coral seas and many other distinctive natural tourism resources. Since 1970s, the region has seen rapid development in the electronic industry and has become an emerging hub of Japan's hi-tech industry.

The Japanese guests visit the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone during their stay in the city. [Photo/fo.xm.gov.cn]