On the morning of October 16, President Xi Jinping visited the Xiamen area of the China (Fujian) Free Trade Pilot Zone. During his visit, he explored the achievements of the free trade zone construction, received updates on local reforms, and engaged with staff at the comprehensive service hall. An article by Xinhua News Agency reflects on the deep connection between Xi Jinping and Xiamen.
In a conversation with international friends, Xi shared his early experiences saying, “I came to Fujian in 1985, and Xiamen was my first stop. At that time, Xiamen was at the forefront of China’s reform and opening-up, serving as a pioneering special economic zone and a fertile ground for development.”
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party, President Xi has issued numerous crucial directives that have defined the path for Xiamen’s development, leading to many memorable stories along the way.
One of these stories centers around the concept of “letting the water flow to nurture the fish.” In the summer of 1985, Xi arrived in Xiamen, reflecting on that time: “Working in a special economic zone was my first experience in a senior leadership position, and it was my first time directly engaging in reforms in developed coastal regions—my first experience in urban construction and management. These three years were a comprehensive learning process that was both challenging and rewarding.”
In Xiamen, Xi was responsible for reforming institutional mechanisms and directly led a series of difficult reform explorations. The “water flow” strategy aimed to invigorate Xiamen Port and struggling state-owned enterprises.
At that time, Xiamen Port faced significant challenges with only two cranes capable of handling just 35,000 containers a year, while similar cranes in Hong Kong managed 120,000. After several on-site investigations and listening carefully to feedback from enterprise staff, Xi identified the core issues: insufficient transport capacity, inadequate facilities, and a lack of coordinated processes, compounded by limited government funding for enhancements.
“One of the things Xi said to us was, ‘The government doesn’t need your profits. Keep everything you earn, but you must commit to using your profits primarily to improve your facilities,’” recalled a veteran port worker reflecting on a meeting from that time.
Xiamen was the first city in the country to implement profit-sharing measures, aiming to retain profits within enterprises rather than sending them all to tax. In the first year of reform, the Xiamen Port Authority generated over 20 million yuan in profit, which skyrocketed to more than 700 million yuan in just a few years. By 2023, container throughput at Xiamen Port reached 12.55 million TEUs, ranking it the 13th largest in the world.
Xiamen Port stands as a successful example of Xi’s reformist approach during his time in the city. He advocated for Xiamen to secure independent development planning and laid the groundwork for a streamlined, efficient, and transparent local government. His initiatives to shift financial institutions toward market operations, establish investment companies, and create a foreign exchange adjustment center in Xiamen exemplified his far-reaching and innovative strategies, injecting significant vitality into the city’s economic and social development.
In 2021, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone, President Xi sent a congratulatory letter noting that after 40 years of innovation and determination under the strong leadership of the party, the Xiamen Economic Zone had achieved historic advancements—validating the strategic decision to establish economic zones.
He encouraged Xiamen to embrace challenges and push forward, aiming to be a leader in achieving socialist modernization and contributing significantly to the larger national goals.
Xi Jinping regards Xiamen as a window to China—a vital gateway for openness. He, alongside the people of Xiamen, pioneered a dual-directional path of openness during the early days of reform.
During his tenure, Xi explored the establishment of a free trade port, proposing that municipal departments and research institutions collaborate on policy studies. He led delegation visits to Singapore and organized the country’s first international seminar on export processing zones and free ports to gather crucial international data for Xiamen.
Under Xi’s direct leadership, Xiamen set clear goals for its development into a “free port-style special economic zone,” progressing through a three-step plan: initiating a bonded area, expanding the bonded area into a free trade zone, and gradually opening up to encompass free port measures across the island. This strategic evolution facilitated Xiamen’s transformation from an export processing zone to a free trade pilot zone, continuously increasing its openness.
Today, Xiamen has become an essential hub for international transport, a vital center for international capital, and a significant site for global exchanges. In September 2017, during the BRICS summit in Xiamen, President Xi praised the city as an open trading point with a rich history of commerce.
In his words, “Minnan people often say, ‘Only by striving can one win.’ This embodies a spirit of perseverance and progress.” He further emphasized that Xiamen’s success is a reflection of the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people.
As the first joint venture airline in China, Xiamen Airlines symbolizes the initial attempts in the country’s civil aviation reform. It provided a soaring opportunity for outside engagement and economic development in the special economic zone.
In 2024, marking the 40th anniversary of Xiamen Airlines, President Xi sent a letter praising the company’s remarkable growth, recalling his involvement in its founding. “Having seen Xiamen Airlines grow over the years fills me with pride,” he stated.
In the early days of the airline, Xi played a crucial role in its establishment, conducting multiple research visits and collaborating with the founding team to tackle challenges. Despite starting with virtually nothing—no land, no buildings, no aircraft—he worked tirelessly to develop a strategic plan that would ensure the airline’s success.
Through persistent efforts, Xi helped secure support from various stakeholders, ultimately leading to Xiamen Airlines leasing two Boeing 737-200s and acquiring experienced pilots from the military, which allowed the airline to overcome its initial struggles.
On April 23, 2000, while serving as Deputy Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee and Governor, Xi outlined a guiding principle for the airline: “Rely on reform, invest wisely, emphasize service, and prioritize people.” This principle has become the cornerstone of Xiamen Airlines’ development.
Currently, Xiamen Airlines operates over 400 domestic and international routes, serving nearly 40 million passengers annually, while receiving numerous accolades for its safety and quality.
This captivating narrative illustrates the dynamic relationship between President Xi Jinping and Xiamen, highlighting a journey of innovation, persistence, and community spirit that has fueled the city’s growth and showcased the broader narrative of China’s reform and opening-up journey.
