IE Singapore organises mission to China's Xiamen, Fuzhou

International Enterprise (IE) Singapore is organising a mission to Xiamen and Fuzhou in China to help Singapore-based companies seek business opportunities there.

The mission is held in conjunction with Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's five-day visit to Fujian province, which starts on Monday.

Besides IE Singapore officials, the 16-strong delegation comprises representatives from 13 companies of various industries, including real estate, food processing and tourism.

The move follows a recent announcement by the Chinese government to transform Fujian into an economic hub that connects the economic powerhouses of the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta.

In 2008, Singapore's actual foreign direct investment in Fujian amounted to US$366 million in 37 projects.

In the same year, Singapore was Fujian's fourth largest foreign investor and the top investor among Southeast Asian countries.

Fu Zhou Memorable Trip 福州之旅

That's just a live Fuzhou(福州）

Impression Fuzhou-------Delicious and Special Fishball

Fish balls probably won't become as popular in the U.S. as egg rolls and pork fried rice. One thing is that most of the time, fish balls don't even taste like fish as the name would suggest. They sort of taste like um... the solidified version of finely ground fish meat. I know what you're thinking that this couldn't possibly be delicious, but in fact this is one of the most popular type of street food throughout south east Asia. You often find it in soups or in skewers that's then served with some sort of dipping sauce. Sometimes you see them stewed or braised in curry broth to impart curry flavor to the fish ball. It's one of those very Asian things that'll probably stay very Asian for years to come. And amongst all these fish balls, there's one type that's different than the rest, one that stands out because it comes with a pork filling. Everything tastes better with a filling.

Fuzhou fish balls are different than regular fish balls because they contain a meaty filling in the middle. Fuzhou is a province in south east China. Actually, my grandfather was from the Fuzhou. He must have passed on his appreciate of Fuzhou fish balls to my father, who then passed it onto me. I'm pretty fond of these things, but when you grow up in the middle of America, it's pretty difficult to find fuzhou fish balls. Nowadays, it's simple, just walk down Eldridge Street and you see Fuzhou places everywhere. Most of these handpulled noodle places have fuzhou fish balls on the menu. It's usually pretty cheap too, something like $3 dollars for a bowl of 10 or so fish falls. The ones you see here are from Super Taste.

In between the hand-pulled noodle places and Fuzhou restaurants on Eldridge street, you find internet cafés, pirated dvd stores, and random barber shops. I can't but wonder whether my grandfather, if he was alive today, would want to chase the American dream here in New York like these immigrants. I wonder if he would approve of these fish balls.

Since my frame of reference is from eating frozen fuzhou fish balls, it's very difficult for me to declare what's good or bad about fuzhou fish balls. If I judge these by whether they possessed any fish taste? Then these would fail. But are fish balls supposed to taste like fish? In my experience, they hardly ever taste like anything. They really only taste like something when you dip it in a sauce. They are like vessels for dipping sauces.

The novelty of the thing kind of wore off after the 6th fish ball and it left me wanting to find a new place for fuzhou fish balls. I guess if you're not a fish ball person, this wouldn't transform you into one. I just happen to have fuzhou fish balls in my blood. I must seek out more of these things. I saw some other places with fish balls on Robyn and Kathy's blog. I've been to Sheng Wang and Lam Zhou for hand-pulled noodles, but not for fuzhou fish balls. Next week I shall report back with an update on my findings!

New High-Speed Railways Connect Wenzhou with Fuzhou, Ningbo

New high-speed passenger railway lines have recently opened linking Wenzhou city with Fuzhou and Ningbo and cutting travel time significantly.

The Fuzhou-Wenzhou line is 298.4 kilometers long and cuts travel time from 5 hours to 2 hours. On the other hand, a second high-speed railway line also connects Wenzhou city to Ningbo. The new railways also has links to Shanghai and decreases travel time from Fuzhou to Shanghai from 11 hours to just five hours reports Xinhua.

Fuzhou city is in Fujian Province and is strategically located near the Taiwan Strait. The city has long been an entry point for Taiwanese to travel to the mainland. China’s improving relations with Taiwan corresponds to the development of transport links including direct flights from Taiwan to Chinese cities like Xiamen and Fuzhou.

Taiwan’s government is considering relaxing investment rules for Taiwanese businesses investing in the mainland’s high-tech industries to beef up competitiveness against rival Japanese and South Korean firms.

Impression Fuzhou--------New Travel Program initiated

It is said that Fujian Province will join together with travel authorities of both mainland China and Taiwan to start a new program to attract more mainland tourists to visit Taiwan via Fujian,which is separated with Taiwan by the Taiwan Straights. This actions is seen as another program to better the relationship between mainland China and Taiwan Authority through a closer economical tie.

Reports from People's Daily,one of the most important media in China,said that Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau has sent a proposal to the tourism bureaus of 25 Chinese provinces which have been allowed to provide services to Taiwan,suggesting these provinces to join in the program claiming to organize at least one million mainland tourists to the largest island of China.FPTB says it will work with provincial travel companies and tourism professionals from Taiwan to organize three groups this year to promote the program in other Chinese provinces.

In recent years, Fujian province has been actively cooperating with the Taiwanese tourism industry and has achieved remarkable results. Statistics from FPTB shows that in the first quarter of this year, more than 10,000 mainland tourists visited Taiwan via Fujian, and by the end of March 2009, over 71,000 Fujian residents had visited Jinmen, Mazu, or Penghu and more than 12,000 Fujian residents had visited Taiwan Island.

These actions in fact are benefiting the Island especially in the economic woe.Taiwan needs much more money from the mainland,although they've enjoyed much Favorable Balance against the mainland these years. But people are worrying that a closer dependence on mainland China might decrease the independence of Taiwan.Mainland

Impression Fuzhou-------Xichan Si

Xichan Si--------One of the Top 5 Temples in Fuzhou has got a long history in China. It was first built in the Dynasty of Tang(AD 608-917). Each year,there are many overseas visitors coming here to take a view of this old and great temple.Litchi is one of the most popular fruits in the

south of China.You can see many litchi trees in Xichan Si. In the summer when it becomes ripe, I think you might think about visiting this place of interest.It's very cool in the temple because there are many tall trees in the temple,even if it's very hot outside.

Two tall towers are standing in the Xichan Si. You can find it even when you are far away. Each tower has its unique feature.Visitor like to get into the tower and climb to the top of the tower to have a view of the whole city of Fuzhou. Due to the development of the city,you might not able to have a full view of the city since there are so many tall buildings now.

I love visiting the temple in Spring and Fall.It's very beautiful in these two seasons.You might think about having a trip and living there for a few days. You know,there is much you could learn from the monks there when you realize that it's a temple with a history of over 1100 years.

Live Fuzhou------a great city you'll definitely love!

Fuzhou,the capital of Fujian Province,which faces Taiwan and is a very important tie to Taiwan. Fuzhou is a city with a character 福（Fu),which means happiness in Chinese.So it is also called the City of Happiness.Fuzhou is an old city and people built at least 2000 years ago. This city has many banyan trees beside its old streets. So people give Fuzhou another nickname-------榕城,which means the city of banyan trees.Fuzhou is a city of heroes. One of the most famous in history is Lin zexu. Who was the leader of Anti-doping battle in Qing dynasty in the 19th century.He's also recognized as the first man in then China to get a peer of the western world.

Fuzhou is also famous for its beautiful scenery.Here you can find as many mountains as you like. When you come here and have a look in all directions,you'll find that it's a city of mountains. Many people who live in Japan,the US,the UK and other overseas countries come from Fuzhou.So it's also the city of overseas Chinese.

Food is also a great feature of this city.There are many kinds of dishes which you couldn't find anywhere else.One of the most famous dish is Fishballs. People like to order this special and delicious dish when the come to Fuzhou.You might have a try when you come here!

Original Fuzhou people like speak its original dialect. This language has not got its characters,like many dialects in China. But don't worry,if you don't speak the dialect,you could get many volunteers for a free travel guide in this city.Fuzhou is a city of buddhism. There are many famous and old temples in this city,like Temple Xican(Xican Si).Visitors love these beautiful and quiet places.There are lots for overseas visitors coming to this city!