News Share (Nov 16-30)

1. Xiamen welcomes new consul general of Philippines

Xiamen's Mayor Huang Wenhui (R) talks with Maria Antonina Mendoza Oblena (L), newly appointed consul general of the Philippines in Xiamen, on Nov 16. [Photo/WeChat account: XIAMENFAO]

Huang Wenhui, mayor of Xiamen in Fujian province, met with Maria Antonina Mendoza Oblena, newly appointed consul general of the Philippines in Xiamen, on Nov 16.

Huang extended a warm welcome to the consul general, as well as gave her a brief overview on Xiamen's economic and social development.

Huang said that Xiamen and the Philippines have maintained close ties in economic cooperation and cultural exchanges. The country attended the China International Fair for Investment and Trade, which was held annually in Xiamen, as the guest country of honor for two years in a row.

Oblena thanked the Xiamen government for its consistent support. She said that the consulate general will continue its efforts in facilitating bilateral exchanges in trade, investment, as well as culture and tourism to benefit people from both sides.

2. XMFAO holds video meeting with Guadalajara

A video meeting between the foreign affairs office of Xiamen and the government of Guadalajara, Mexico is held on Nov 23. [Photo/WeChat account: XIAMENFAO]

The foreign affairs office of Xiamen in East China's Fujian province held a video meeting with representatives from its sister city Guadalajara in Mexico on Nov 23.

Lin Na, vice-president of the Xiamen Municipal People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, talked with Lilian Rizk, newly appointed director of the foreign affairs office of Guadalajara, about Xiamen taking part in a series of activities marking Guadalajara as the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2022. They also discussed facilitating bilateral exchanges on digital economy and smart city construction.

Rizk said that the Guadalajara government has attached great importance to its friendship with Xiamen and is looking forward to strengthening cooperation in various fields, such as trade, investment, culture, and digital economy.

3. French consul general in Guangzhou visits Xiamen

Sylvain Fourriere (L), consul general of France in Guangzhou, talks with Huang Yantian, vice-mayor of Xiamen, during his visit to Xiamen on Nov 26. [Photo/WeChat account: XIAMENFAO]

A delegation headed by Sylvain Fourriere, consul general of France in Guangzhou, visited Xiamen in Fujian province from Nov 25 to 26.

Huang Yantian, vice-mayor of Xiamen, met the delegation on Nov 26, giving the guests a brief overview on Xiamen's economic and social development.

Huang said that Xiamen was among China's first four special economic zones that carried out the country's opening-up policy.

Huang added that the city is pushing forward the construction of its metro network and expressed his hope to facilitate cooperation with French companies under the help of the consulate general.

Fourriere echoed Huang's sentiments, stating that the French city Nice and Xiamen have made fruitful results in culture, education, and tourism cooperation since they established sister-city ties in May 2014. He also welcomed Xiamen companies to make investments and start businesses in his country.

4. Xiamen-Wellington Chinese course concludes

Trainees of the Xiamen-Wellington Chinese course pose for a photo at the completion ceremony on Nov 26. [Photo/WeChat account: XIAMENFAO]

A completion ceremony for the "Xiamen-Wellington Chinese course" project was held at the government office building of Wellington, New Zealand on Nov 26. Officials of the Xiamen foreign affairs office attended the ceremony through video.

The course, initiated by the governments of Xiamen and Wellington, focused on basic business Chinese. The Center for Language Education and Cooperation of Xiamen University offered online classes, while the Chinese Cultural Center in Wellington offered language assistance offline.

The course opened on Nov 25, 2020 and attracted more than 100 trainees, including ordinary people, as well as employees of government departments and companies. Six of the trainees have passed the first level of the Chinese Proficiency Test, known as HSK 1.