Xiamen, Laem Chabang ports forge friendly relations
Xiamen Port, located in Xiamen city in East China's Fujian province, signed an agreement via video link on March 2 with Laem Chabang Port – Thailand's largest deep-water port – to establish friendly port relations.
The two are important ports along the Maritime Silk Road, with comparable size and complementary advantages. Currently, Xiamen Port operates 32 China-Thailand routes, 21 of them calling in at Laem Chabang Port, indicating the great potential for further cooperation.
The Xiamen foreign affairs office and the Royal Thai Consulate General in Xiamen were jointly instrumental in promoting the friendship between the two ports. This move is expected to pave the way for increased maritime trade and commerce between China and Thailand.
According to officials, the two ports will cooperate in areas such as smart port management, green port development, improved customs clearances and increasing frequency of routes.
They will also strengthen their exchange mechanisms, high-level visits, technical training and sharing of know-how, to deepen their strategic partnership.
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.
