Xiamen City, as an administrative unit, can be dated back as far as the Song Dynasty. It has always been an important trading port, but since its establishment as one of China's first four Special Economic Zones in 1981, Xiamen has become a "window city" for China's opening to the outside world. It's one of the municipalities approved by the State Council of the People's Republic of China, being specially designated under separate state plan and enjoying provincial level of power in economic management. Today, Xiamen is a rapidly growing city, with a vigourous economy and a fully-modern infrastructure. Over the past 10 years, Xiamen has increasingly focused on the cultivation of international trade, education, and tourism..

Economy
Xiamen's economy is growing rapidly, and has become an increasingly popular site for foreign investors. An industrial structure composed of electronics, machinery, textile, foodstuff, chemical, pharmaceuticals and building materials industries has taken shape in the city, and is producing abundant world-advanced and domestic advanced products that are competitively priced and sell well all over the world. Compared with 1981, the total industrial output value in 1997 increased by 50.19 times. Visit "Invest in Xiamen" and see a world of investment possibilities.

By the end of June 2002, enterprises from countries and regions had established their presence in Xiamen, making it the base for their career development in China. Among them are energetic medium and small-size enterprises as well as members of Fortune 500.

Tourism
Xiamen was recently voted China's cleanest city, and has many attractions for the foreign visitor. Xiamen and its surrounding countryside offers spectacular scenery and pleasant tree-lined beaches. Gulangyu, also known as Piano Island, is a popular, peaceful weekend getaway. Xiamen's Botanical Garden is a nature lover's paradise. And the Buddhist Nanputao Temple, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, is a national treasure.