Representatives from Xiamen and Metapan sign a letter of intent to form a friendly exchange relationship on July 26. [Photo/WeChat ID: XIAMENFAO]
Xiamen city in East China's Fujian province established a friendly exchange relationship with Metapan city in El Salvador on July 26.
Zhang Yanhui, the Chinese ambassador to El Salvador, Israel Peraza, Metapan's mayor and Zhuang Rongliang, Xiamen's vice-mayor, participated in the online signing ceremony.
During the ceremony, Zhuang highlighted the respective advantages and characteristics of Xiamen and Metapan, and emphasized the potential for broad exchanges and cooperation between the two cities.
He expressed hope that the friendly exchange relationship would serve as a starting point for positive contributions to the sustainable and healthy development of China-El Salvador relations.
Israel Peraza expressed his support for friendly exchanges and cooperation with Xiamen, and urged the two cities to promote practical collaboration in areas such as commerce, trade, culture, and education. He also extended an invitation to Chinese entrepreneurs to visit Metapan and explore business opportunities in the city.
During the ceremony, Xiamen introduced a visiting scholar program initiated by the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital at Xiamen University. Additionally, Xiamen donated books on Chinese history, culture, and social development to Metapan, providing a new channel for locals to better understand China.
Furthermore, the Xiamen C&D Light Industry Co. Ltd signed an online cooperation agreement on coffee bean procurement with a coffee company in El Salvador. This agreement is expected to facilitate deeper involvement of Chinese coffee dealers and El Salvador coffee producers in China's vast coffee market.
Metapan is located in the northwestern part of El Salvador's Santa Ana province, bordering Guatemala to the west and north. The city is aiming to become a strategic center for economic and social development in the neighboring area of the three countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Metapan has a rich cultural and historical background, with several historical buildings from the colonial period. The area also boasts diverse natural landscapes, including the Montecristo National Park.
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.
