Basic facts
(xm.gov.cn)
Updated: 2004-08-08 15:36

Xiamen is a famous bay city located on the southeastern coast of China. With a magnificent view and picturesque environment, Xiamen enjoys the reputation of both a “Garden on the Sea” and a “Glittering Pearl on the Sea”.

It has been rewarded the titles of “the Cleanest City of China”, “the Garden City of China” and “China's Model City in Environmental Protection.”. It is also one of Excellent National Tourist City in China.

With green mountains and surrounded by the blue sea, the city enjoys warm sunlight, agreeable climate and spring-like weather all the year round. There are bustling streets, easy transportation, and colorful night scenes in this charming land where many outstanding people originate.

Xiamen lies at the mouth of Jinmen Bay and Jiulong River in the southeast of Fujian province, being close to Zhangzhou in the west and to Quanzhou in the north. It is separated from Taiwan Island and Penghu Isles by the Taiwan Strait.

Situated at 117 °53'---118°25' east longitude and 24°25'-----24°54' north latitude, Xiamen is one of the first four special economic zones (S.E.Z.) in China, enjoying the economic administrative power of provincial level and the local legislative power. It is the second biggest city in Fujian province, furthermore, it is known as the hometown of overseas Chinese and Taiwanese compatriots as well as a major port for their entrance and exit.

Historically, it has been an important trading port on the southeastern coast of China. The city covers an area of 1,565 sq. km. By the end of 2002, it has a population of 1.37 million. Since the establishment of the S.E.Z., Xiamen has maintained a fast, healthy and sustainable economic development by relying on its favorable geographical location, preferential investment policies and fine investment environment. In 2002, Its average annual growth in GDP is 15.5% and the GDP per capita has reached RMB 46,589.

Xiamen is recognized as a most attractive city for foreign investors. By the end of 2002, 5714 contracts with direct foreign investment had been rectified with a total contracted foreign capital of USD20.116 billion. There are 5,177 foreign-funded enterprises(FFE) in operation. The total industrial output value of FFEs accounts for over 86% of that of the whole city. Some world famous MNEs such as Dell, Kodak, ABB, John Swire & Sons (Taikoo aircraft engineering), Cocacola, GE, linde have consecutively made their investment in Xiamen.

In May, 2003, State Council approved the new adjustment plan of Xiamen's administrative districts. According to the new plan, the city has been set up six administrative districts, consisting of Siming, Huli, Jimei, Haicang, Tongan and Xiangan.

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