The Indonesian city of Surabaya became Xiamen's 11th sister city on June 23, 2006.
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city and is the capital city of East Java province. It is located on the northeastern shore of Java Island, adjacent to the Surabaya Strait.
It covers an area of 326.27 square kilometers and is home to over three million people. The city's occupants are mainly Javanese, Madurese, British, Amboinese, Chinese and Arabian.
Surabaya is renowned for its tourism and is known for such landscapes as Mount Bromo and Cheng Ho Mosques.
Surabaya is an important port city for foreign commerce and trade. Tanjung Perak Port is the second-largest international trade port after Tanjung Priok in Jakarta. A great majority of Indonesian commodities are imported and exported through Tanjung Perak Port.
Since its establishment as a sister city with Xiamen, the two cities have engaged in frequent economic, cultural, educational and sporting exchanges to promote mutual cooperation and friendship.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
