| Xiamen,
on the southeastern coast of China, to the west of Taiwan Strait,
covers a total area of 1,569.3 square kilometers and has a registered
household population of 1.42 million at the end of 2004 and a permanent
population of about 2.19 million. Under the jurisdiction of the
municipality are six districts Siming, Huli, Jimei, Haicang, Tong'an
and Xiang'an.
Dubbed "China's coziest city", Xiamen
has a pleasant climate, picturesque views and clean and tidy environment.
In 2002, Xiamen received the Gold Medal at the "International
Nations in Bloom" competition in Stuttgart, Germany. Domestic
awards have included "National Sanitary City", "National
Garden City", "National Model City for Environmental
Protection", "National Excellence in Tourism",
"National Top 10 Most Livable Cities"and "National
Habit Award". In 2004, Xiamen is world's only city to win
the 2004 UN Habit Award.
Xiamen was one
of the first four special economic zones (SEZ) in China. One of
the few municipalities enjoying independent status in state economic
planning, Xiamen enjoys provincial level autonomy and local legislative
power in economic administration.
Xiamen is one
of the most competitive cities in China. According to the 2005 Competitiveness
Report of Cities in China, Xiamen is regarded as one of Top 10 cities
in terms of competitiveness in Mainland China, and it also ranks
the top in comprehensive competitiveness of government service,
legal system, system building, culture & education, infrastructure,
market openness, etc.
Xiamen has become
one of the most important ports in China for international trade
and cross-Straits trade. Two nationwide investment promotion events
are annually held in Xiamen----"China International Fair for
Investment and Trade" and "China Xiamen Machinery and
Electronics Exhibition".
Xiamen has been
a hot destination for foreign investment. By the end of 2004, 6523
foreign-invested projects have been approved with a total contractual
value of USD21.8 billion of which USD14.0 billion has been paid
up.
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