XM boosted by 175 overseas investment projects last year

The Hurun Research Institute last week released its annual list of the most valuable companies in China's food industry. Four companies from Fujian made the list, including Xiamen's Anjoy Foods and Kingdomway (Jindawei). The institute defined Chinese food companies as enterprises headquartered in China, including foreign-controlled enterprises listed on China's A-shares market or on the Hong Kong stock market. 

A coalition of departments led by China's Ministry of Commerce announced last week the third batch of 382 companies to earn the Chinese time-honored brand designation. A total of six Xiamen-based brands made the list: Ding Lu, Gulong Food, Gulangyu Pie, Three-Circles, Xingsha and Zhang Yuanmei Tea.

Local bureau of culture and tourism last week announced that its Mediterranean cruise ship will use Xiamen as its home port for a total of 15 voyages to Japan between March and May.

Multiple cruise ships are set to visit Xiamen in the second half of the year, including China Merchant's Eaton, Blue Dream Song, and Carnival's Glory.

Local officials last week announced a series of free live performances to be held across the city to celebrate the Spring Festival season. Five performance troupes including the Xiamen City South Orchestra will headline a concert series that includes folk dances, operas and symphony performances. Tickets are available via the “厦门文旅”WeChat mini-app. Tickets will be released in batches on the basis of consumer demand.

Fujian authorities recently announced a suite of new polices designed to attract foreign investment to the province. The announcement included dozens of measures authorities said will enhance the quality and efficiency of utilizing foreign investment, strengthen the protection of foreign investments, improve the level of investment operation convenience, increase fiscal and financial support and enhance organizational implementation.

Xiamen Port officials last week announced that the port's Silk Road shipping route has been transited more than 10,000 times. Container throughput topped 11.1 million TEU since its 2018 launch. Xiamen Port's Silk Road shipping program encompasses more than 300 alliance members and 131 ports in 43 countries.

Local tourism authorities last week touted a series of activities and events centered on this year's Spring Festival holiday season. The Xiamen Science and Technology Museum debuted a now zodiac science exhibition that focuses on the year of the dragon. Entrance is free of charge. The Xiamen Fangte New Year Lantern Festival kicked off last Saturday in Tongan. The Meishan temple in Tongan is hosting a lantern festival that runs through during the New Year holiday.

Xiamen Port authorities last week announced the official opening of a new channel to North America serviced by the Israeli shipping company Zim. The ZimPNW Xpress route includes a stop at Xiamen followed by a Vancouver arrival 16 days later. Products exported from China on the inaugural voyage along the route included shoes and clothing, handicrafts, outdoor goods and building materials. The route offers the shortest transit time for ocean-bound cargo from Xiamen to Vancouver.

Local Center for Disease Control and Prevention officials announced recently that the city is currently in the midst of the peak season for infectious respiratory diseases. Factors that can cause an increase in infection rates include the mass movement of people during the Spring Festival travel season and increased gatherings of large groups in confines spaces. Authorities advised local residents to beware of the increased risk of diseases such as covid-19, influenza and norovirus. Other seasonally-impacted dangers include an increased risk of injuries caused by fireworks and an increased consumption of alcohol.