Xiamen moves to become global maritime city
The city of Xiamen -- located in China's Southeast Fujian province -- is determined to become an important international maritime metropolis by developing its modern marine and fishery industries, as well as strengthening its marine security operations, according to Zeng Dongsheng, director of the Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Ocean Development.
The city plans to develop a modern marine industry to expand its Blue Economy. It is moving to speed up the construction of an International Marine Economy Demonstration Area and the Demonstration City for the Innovative Development of the Marine Economy -- as well as Gaoqi Center Fishing Port, Oucuo Fishing Port and the Marine High-tech Industry Cluster Park.
Efforts would also be made to push forward 68 already-signed projects and issue new marine projects to attract investment.
The opening ceremony for the Xiamen Democratic League Marine Research and Scientific and Technological Achievements Transformation Base. [Photo provided to xmicc.org.cn]
To accelerate the commercialization of scientific research achievements and promote innovation in the fields of marine science and technology and finance, Xiamen is poised to make better use of its Southern Ocean Entrepreneurship and Innovation Base and speed up the implementation of the Tan Kah Kee Innovation Laboratory and Straits Maritime Innovation Laboratory.
Zeng also explained that the city would develop a seafood breeding industry, industrial farming and new types of economic circles for fishing villages and fishing ports -- aiming to transform and upgrade urban fisheries and create more jobs for fishermen.
The opening ceremony for 2020 World Ocean Week in Xiamen and the signing ceremony for the Marine Development Conference. [Photo provided to xmicc.org.cn]
In the current year, Xiamen has plans to build Gaoqi Port into a port complex featuring leisure tourism and speed up the construction of Oucuo Port to be a national port. The city also plans to foster leisure tourism at fishing villages and ports and cultivate specialized industries like fish breeding and aquariums, while building a high-end seafood products trading center.
Moreover, Xiamen will reportedly take preventive measures to strengthen its maritime security. This year, the city will set up a cooperative mechanism with nearby coastal Zhangzhou and Quanzhou cities, as well as the Jinmen area, to build an ocean 'security line'.
Gaoqi Fishing Port. [Photo provided to xmicc.org.cn]
Xiamen is expected to issue official documents to strengthen the quality and security supervision of port construction projects and record management of recreational fishing boats – as well as set up a traceable management system for its fishing boats.
All departments in charge of maritime affairs will conduct joint law enforcement to protect waterways security, provide safeguards for important marine activities and carry out a continuous fight against banned activities such as illegal fishing and dumping.
A Xiamen marine enforcement detachment removes illegal fishing equipment. [Photo provided to xmicc.org.cn]
Meanwhile, the second phase of Xiatanwei Mangrove Park is expected to be completed this year. The park is expected to become a popular science education base featuring mangroves and a demonstration site for marine biodiversity and carbon neutrality.
A corner view of Xiatanwei Mangrove Park. [Photo provided to xmicc.org.cn]