Zhuang Jiahan, mayor of Xiamen, meets with Semisi Sika, vice-premier of Tonga. [Photo/fo.xm.gov.cn]
Semisi Sika, vice-premier of Tonga, recently led a delegation to visit Xiamen, Fujian province in order to seek cooperation with the city in tourism, trade and economy.
Zhuang Jiahan, mayor of Xiamen, introduced the city's economic and social development over the past few years at a meeting with the delegation from Tonga.
Zhuang said that tourism industry is one of the five industries worth 100 billion yuan ($14.49 billion) that Xiamen has ramped up efforts to build up, while the industry is also one of Tonga's pillar industries.
He hopes both sides will conduct more cooperation in the future in the tourism industry.
The vice-premier said that Xiamen government's advanced management experience is worth learning from and he expected to strengthen his country's exchanges with Xiamen not only in tourism, but also in trade and economy.
The delegation organized a tourism promotion event for its country during their stay in Xiamen.
They also visited the city's King Long United Automotive Industry Co, a leading passenger vehicle supplier in China, Xiamen Free Trade Zone, and Gulangyu, a small island off the Xiamen's coast that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A message to the Xiamen municipal government written by Semisi Sika, vice-premier of Tonga. [Photo/fo.xm.gov.cn]
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.
