One of the first five special economic zones, Xiamen is showing steady growth, according to figures.
The city opened for foreign investment in the early 1980s and is also a major trading port, now accounting for more than half of foreign trade in Fujian.
Last year, Xiamen's economy grew 15.1 per cent to 253.7 billion yuan (HK$312.7 billion). Per-capita GDP was up 15.3 per cent to
71,808 yuan, surpassing the US$10,000 mark for the first time, according to media reports.
Xiamen has benefited from investments from Taiwan, due to its strong economic and social ties with the island.
The city is only 25km from Taiwan's Jinmen (or Kinmen) island. Many Taiwanese people originated from Fujian, and the Taiwanese dialect also originated from southern Fujian.