Overview of Xiamen

Xiamen, located on the west side of the Taiwan Strait, was one of the first four Special Economic Zones in China and helped pave the way for the country to open up. As a global city with bustling ports and abundant tourism, Xiamen has emerged as the strategic fulcrum of the Maritime Silk Road.

Xiamen has been actively engaged in foreign trade since the 1860s, especially with countries in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Xiamen is also considered the only Special Economic Zone in the mainland that is tailored for strategic exchange and cooperation with Taiwan. The Xiamen government is striving to build the city into a popular investment destination. 

In 2024, Xiamen's GDP increased by 5.5 percent year-on-year to 858.9 billion yuan ($117.5 billion).

Industrial Orientation

The added value of industrial enterprises above a designated size increased by 9.0 percent compared to the previous year. Among the 35 major categories in the industrial sector, 26 industries experienced increased added value. 

The three main industries in Xiamen are computer, communication, and other electronic equipment manufacturing.

The government has formulated policies to create three trillion-yuan-level industrial chains dealing with panel display, computer and communication equipment, semiconductor and integrated circuit, software and information service, machinery equipment, new materials, biomedicine and health, urban modern agriculture, financial service, modern logistics, cultural creativity and tourism, convention and exhibition.

Policy to promote foreign investment

Xiamen has recently introduced a comprehensive set of measures to enhance its foreign investment environment and attract greater foreign capital. The package includes 13 practical measures. The measures will remain in effect until Dec 31, 2027.

Talent policy

Xiamen has established a multi-tiered, wide-ranging and effective talent policy system that remains fully accessible to foreign professionals. For instance, newly recruited foreign talent working in Xiamen for three months and above are eligible for living subsidies: 80,000 yuan for PhD holders, 50,000 yuan for master's degree holders, 30,000 yuan for graduates from higher education institutions that aim to become first-rate universities or develop first-class disciplines, and 10,000 yuan for graduates from other tertiary education providers.