XM hosts Brics PartNIR Innovation Base conference

Xiamen recently hosted the BRICS PartNIR Innovation Base Economic Cooperation Conference. The session focused on the green economy and ecological governance, with a focus on environmental protection. Dozens of government officials and experts from 17 countries joined with 34 representatives of 20 leading environmental protection companies at the event.

The conference included innovation presentations by 10 Xiamen-based companies recognized for their technological advancements in environmental protection. The companies showcased their strengths in areas such as environmental technology research and development, equipment manufacturing and engineering services. The event included a call for international collaboration from the presenting firms.

A representative from the Xiamen Brics office noted that the conference provided a broad platform for cooperation in environmental protection.

Pictured is a recent visit organized by the Brics PartNIR Innovation Base that highlighted robots and big data technology.

The Xiamen Science and Technology Bureau recently announced its inaugural batch of seven facilities to earn official recognition as joint laboratories. The labs are led by seven prominent Xiamen-based enterprises in collaboration with 11 universities, research institutions from Fujian and beyond. The laboratories cover sectors such as innovative pharmaceuticals, genetics and biotechnology, energy storage, next-generation artificial intelligence, new-generation information technology and integrated circuits.

The Civil Aviation Materials Development Conference opened last week in Xiamen. Over 200 delegates from more than 70 organizations gathered to discuss the development of the civil aviation ecosystem. It was announced during the conference the establishment of the China Civil Aviation Equipment Industry Development Alliance.

Local birdwatchers spotted several short-eared owls in the woods near the Music Coast of Maluan Bay. The class-two protected species is known for its ability to turn its head 270 degrees. It is primarily found in northeast China and is rarely seen in Xiamen, according to Chen Hao, vice president of the Xiamen Bird Watching Association. Their appearance in the city is likely due to their migration and a need for rest and nourishment.

Xiamen launched on December 4 a consumer goods trade-in program to encourage the purchase and use of more efficient goods. The city has notched almost 620,000 purchases with total sales of more than 5.3 billion yuan, including government subsidies approximately 610 million yuan.

The totals include the purchase of more than 20,000 vehicles and subsidies of about 280 million yuan. Consumers also bought nearly 270,000 home appliances (e.g., televisions and refrigerators) with 200 million yuan in subsidies. Additionally, vendors processed approximately 330,0000 trade-ins for kitchen, bathroom and smart home products on the strength of 130 million yuan in subsidies.

China's largest double-boom luffing crane ship arrived last week at the construction site of the Xiamen section of the Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge. The Erhang Zhuoyue vessel will play a major role in supporting large-scale lifting operations for the project. 

The vessel boasts the highest lifting capacity among ships of its kind in China. The 165-meter ship can lift up to 5,500 tons to a maximum height of 120 meters. It is designed for large-span bridges and box girders and it excels at lifting oversized components in a single operation.

The Xiamen Airport District Command Office issued a notice last week officially proposing Xiamen Xiangan International Airport as the name of the city's new airport. The agency invited feedback on the proposal of the new airport name, with input required before December 11. Suggestions can be submitted by calling (592) 576-0924 or via postal mail to: Room 802, 48 Guanren Road, Xiamen, 361012.

The first edition of the Fujian Michelin Guide recently debuted, featuring five restaurants in Fujian to earn one-star ratings. A trio of Xiamen restaurants earned star ratings: Liaohua Qingyu, Xiancheng and Yanyu (Jiahe Road). Two Fujian restaurants also made the list: Jiangnan Zao Rongfu and Wenru Number Nine.

The city of Xiamen recently debuted a new exhibition focused on highlights of its application for official designation as a National Historic and Cultural City. The exhibit at the Xiamen Planning Exhibition Hall features historical photos that explore the city's cultural heritage.

The Xiamen Tan Kah Kee Theatre (Xiamen Poly Theatre Management Co., Ltd) will host a New Year's concert by the Royal Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra on December 19th. The repertoire of New Year's Concert of the Royal Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will include classic works such as "Overture to Die Fledermaus", "Voices of Spring Waltz", "Spring Festival Overture", "Chinese Galop", "Jasmine Flower" and "Pizzicato Polka".

Representatives of the Xiamen Poly Theatre Management Co., Ltd said that the facility's advanced acoustic design and state-of-the-art facilities are well fitted for the performance. They added that the concert is a fitting farewell to 2024 and an opportunity to usher in inspiration and hope for 2025.