Expats hail Xiamen's green development
Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, has integrated the concept of green development throughout the entire process of economic and social development, making important contribution to human progress and global sustainable development, expats in Xiamen told People's Daily in an interview.
William Brown, an American professor at Xiamen University who has lived there for nearly 40 years, has witnessed how Xiamen was built into a beautiful and modern international city.
In 1988 when Brown moved to Xiamen, his home was less than five kilometers away from the Yundang Lake. "The water was black and malodorous. You had to hold your breath whenever you passed by," he recalled.
After five phases of large-scale treatment, the once "stinky lake" has been transformed into a "green lung" of the city. "Xiamen has made great achievements in ecological protection and green development," said Brown.
Ms. Nunnaphas Ngamman, director of Commercial Section, Royal Thai Consulate-General in Xiamen, likes to have a walk in a park after work. "Xiamen has a profound cultural heritage. The people are very courteous. The city is tidy and clean. It's green everywhere," she said.
At present, there are 20 Thai enterprises in Xiamen. Ms. Ngamman hopes more Thai firms will invest and operate in the beautiful and energetic city.
Faisal from France, who has lived in Xiamen for 12 years, runs a cafe in the city's Guanren Community with his friends. When asked about his impression of the coastal city, he remarked: "Xiamen is one of my favorite cities in China. The urban greening is great. I like the healthy lifestyle here."