International visitors try their hands at stone engraving. [Photo by Lin Yuyang for chinadaily.com.cn]

The Foreign Affairs Office of the Xiamen Municipal People's Government (XMFAO), in collaboration with the Xiamen Time-honored Brand Association, launched the "Xiamen Now" Spring Festival Gathering 2025 on Jan 11 in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

The event, titled "Experiencing Xiamen: A City of Happiness," brought together 28 foreign nationals from 14 countries, including Germany, France, the United States, Indonesia, and Egypt, to visit the China-BRCIS Science and Innovation Incubation Park for the New Era and the Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University, learning about the facilitation services provided by Xiamen for foreign nationals working and living in the city. 

The participants also visited the Wuyuan Bay Wetland Park to hear stories about ecological conservation and engaged in the hands-on "foreign lake chief" activity. The organizers also carefully arranged traditional Minnan cultural experiences such as writing "Fu" characters, making sticky rice balls, engraving stones, and more.

International visitors learn about the ecology of Wuyuan Bay. [Photo by Lin Yuyang for chinadaily.com.cn]

Claude Kiki from Benin experienced a variety of folk activities and learned many Minnan proverbs. He said he felt the love emanating from Xiamen during the event and appreciated the rare opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the city. During the visit to Wuyuan Bay Wetland Park, Alexander Randy from the US remarked that Xiamen's transportation and air quality are amazing, making it a very livable place.

The XMFAO has developed new exchange models by organizing experiential activities, allowing foreign nationals to better understand Xiamen. This initiative aims to provide suggestions for further optimizing the business environment in the city and improving convenience for foreign nationals working and living in the city.