The coastal Japanese city of Sasebo established a sister-city relationship with Xiamen, Fujian province, on October 28, 1983. The two cities have since carried out frequent economic, cultural, educational, artistic, and sporting exchanges.
Northwest of Kyushu and north of the Nagasaki Prefecture, Sasebo spans 426.47 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 263,000. It is the second largest city in the Nagasaki Prefecture.
The city was once home to a naval port but has since been transformed into a tourist city. Within the city limits are hundreds of islands, spanning approximately 25 kilometers from Sasebo Port to Hirato.
There is no shortage of attractions in Sasebo. Drawing in the tourists is Saikai National Park, which consists of 99 picturesque islands; and Kyushu's largest theme park, Huis Ten Bosch.
Founded in 1889, Sasebo Port was an important military base in Japan and was designated as the main trading port of West Japan in 1948. A US Navy Base and Japanese Self-Defense Force settled in the port in 1952. The port now integrates commercial and defense functions.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
