Xiamen in East China's Fujian province stands at the forefront of China's efforts to reform and open up as well as a pioneer in attracting investment and reforming its economy. [Photo/IC]

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone. Over the past 40 years, the city has shown what is possible through reform and opening-up.

As a key port city in East China, Xiamen has been classified as a special economic zone and was approved as a national comprehensive reform pilot area, free trade pilot area and national marine economic development demonstration area.

Thanks to its strategic location and strong economic growth over the past several decades, Xiamen has become a beacon of cross-Straits cooperation in emerging industries and modern service industries, a southeastern international shipping center, cross-Straits regional financial service center and trade center.

According to statistics, products made in Xiamen have been exported to more than 220 countries and regions, putting the city at the national forefront in terms of the overall competitiveness of its import-export trade.

Xiamen has equally stressed the concepts of "bringing in" and "going global". Statistics show that as of the end of 2019, foreign investors from more than 120 countries and regions had invested in Xiamen, with foreign investment in actual use totaling $31.8 billion. The city had invested in 1,466 overseas projects in 70 countries and regions across the world as of the end of last year.

New types of business in the city have also surged in recent years, such as online shopping and smart retail, injecting new impetus into the city's social and economic growth.

Local authorities said that Xiamen will further expand reform and opening-up and continue to build a more robust and open economy.