From Backwater to Economic Center

From Backwater to Economic Center

Xiamen Port

On October 15, 1981, construction of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone(SEZ) began in the Huli Processing Area for Exporting Goods. In March 1984,the State Council decided to extend the area of the SEZ from 2.5 square km to cover the all of Xiamen Island, including Gulangyu Island, of about 131 square km. Since then,free port policies have been applied in the zone. Later, the State Council approved in succession three investment areas—Haicang, Xinlin and Jimei—for Taiwan investors, where the SEZ policies were applied.In June 2010, the State Council agreed to extend the SEZ from the island to the whole city of Xiamen, making the new SEZ 12 times the size of the previous one. The State Council also approved the establishment of a cross-Straits regional financial service center in Xiamen.

Since its establishment, Xiamen SEZ has been granted two missions: to become a test fi eld for the country’s reform and opening-up policy and a pioneer for developing cross-Straits relations with Taiwan. Over the past 30 years, under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Fujian Provincial CPC Committee and the provincial government, the people of Xiamen have made concerted efforts to achieve fast and sound economic and social development by focusing on economic construction, daring to innovate and experiment,breaking down old-fashioned customs and setting up new rules. Xiamen has gradually worked out a scientific development mode featuring steady production growth, af fl uent livelihoods and a delightful ecological environment. It has made active contributions to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.