​XM ranked in top 100 for its digital economy

Recently, CCID Consulting, under the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, released its annual report on the state of the digital economy in cities across China. Xiamen ranked in the report's top 100 cities. It ranked second in the category of support for companies in the incubation phase.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently released the sixth set of additional companies to its list of national-level Little Giant enterprises. A total of 18 Xiamen-based companies on the list, including 14 from the Xiamen Torch Hi-Tech Zone. These companies are primarily engaged in industries such as electric power equipment, integrated circuits, new display technologies and artificial intelligence.

The National Immigration Administration announced last week a suite of changes to its transit visa-free policy. The maximum stay for foreign nationals entering China under the transit visa-free policy is now 10 days. It had previously been three to six days.

Additionally, 21 new ports of entry have been added to the list of locations where foreign nationals can enter and exit under the transit visa-free policy. The permitted travel area has been further expanded.

Nationals from 54 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, can now enter China visa-free through 60 ports of entry in dozens of provinces if traveling to a third country or region. Travelers can stay within the designated area for up to 10 days.

Fujian's transit visa-free policy includes Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Wutong Ferry Terminal and the International Cruise Terminal as well as three new ports: Fuzhou Changle International Airport, Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport and Wuyishan Airport.

Foreign nationals entering under the transit visa-free policy can now stay within all of Fujian or travel amongst provinces during the 10-day period.

Local officials announced last week that the city provided financial aid to over 20,000 disadvantaged  college studentsthis year. The funds included tuition fee reductions, scholarships and living allowances. The umbrella program is formally entitled Heartwarming Educational Assistance. Officials said that the goals of the program are to foster motivation and to support both personal development and employment opportunities.

City officials announced last week the official issuance of guidelines designed to regulate renovation geared toward capturing and diverting excess rainfall. The policy covers both industrial zones and older residential neighborhoods. Officials said that the suite of standards will help to improve living conditions and enhance the city's overall quality of life.

City officials noted last week that Xiamen has accelerated the development of its home and community-based senior citizen care services, improving its support system for the aging population.

The city has established over 3,000 home care beds and delivered in-home care services to approximately 230,000 local residents. Xiamen is currently home to 44 nursing institutions, 55 senior care centers, 151 rural senior care centers, 419 senior-friendly dining facilities and 446 home care service stations. Collectively, the city's senior-oriented facilities provide around 19,000 beds and are supported by nearly 4,000 practitioners.

A beach in Jimei that is covered in suaeda australis  turned red this month when its plant turned from green to red for the fall. The annual autumn bloom creates a striking contrast against the wetland's greyish stone beach.

Suaeda australis is considered a key species for the protection of coastal ecosystems. Visitors to the area are not permitted to harvest the area's plants.

A retired couple from Xiamen set off earlier this year on a remarkable journey to the Arctic circle in their Min D caravan. Zhang Dongzhou and Zheng Dejun, both in their 60s, set off in April from Xinjiang's Jimunai port on a route that has taken them on a 40,000-kilometer-trek through more than 20 countries. The couple traveled as far as Murmansk, Russia, a city within the Arctic circle.

City officials announced the continuation of work to replace sodium lamps in area streetlights with energy-efficient and intelligent LED lights. Dozens of sodium lamps along Douzaiwei road in Siming were replaced last month, part of a program to upgrade 19,000 Xiamen streetlights.

Local authorities noted that aging sodium lamps at the end of their service life can suffer from poor color rendering and low energy efficiency. The new LED lights are both brighter and more efficient, translating to increased safety.

Local authorities noted last week that the city's ongoing urban village modernization program has improved the local quality of life in areas such as Qiaoyan road in the Tianqian community. Officials added that the program has positively impacted the Xiawu pedestrian street. They also cited changes in the Yecuo community, which they described as more livable and business-friendly.

Local authority last week unveiled the inaugural group of 30 high-quality teaching centers have been unveiled, marking a significant step forward in enhancing educational opportunities for seniors.

Qianpu South Community recently hosted a work experience exchange meeting. Local authority said that the city's New Era Civilization Practice Stations have made remarkable strides in establishing and improving educational hubs for seniors over the past three years.

The Xiamen Federation of Arts and Culture Exhibition Hall recently debuted an art exhibition entitled A City of Spring Colors, Half a City of Flowers. The exhibit showcases more than 250 pieces created in a series of sketching sessions during the event.

The totals include eight watercolors, 83 Chinese paintings and 172 oil paintings. Of the creations, more than 130 works are currently on display, featuring 71 Chinese paintings, 64 oil paintings, and 4 watercolors. The exhibition is open to the public free of charge and runs through January 3.