Foreign diplomats pose for a group photo in Pingtan county, Fujian province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Diplomats from Guinea-Bissau, Samoa, Norway, Vietnam, Nicaragua, and Indonesia visited East China's Fujian province from May 18 to 23, touring sites in Fuzhou, Pingtan county, and Xiamen that showcase the historical and cultural ties between Fujian and Taiwan.

In Fuzhou, the group visited the Guixi Community in Jin'an district, a major residential area for Taiwan residents, and met with representatives from Taiwan-funded enterprises to learn about living and business conditions for Taiwan residents and companies.

They then travelled to Pingtan county, the closest point to Taiwan on the Chinese mainland. The delegation visited the Keqiutou Site Museum, which displays archaeological findings related to the origins of Austronesian-speaking peoples. They also toured the county's Taiwan Town area and a coastal site noted for being exactly 68 nautical miles from Taiwan.

During their stop in Xiamen, the diplomats visited the Xiamen-Kinmen Bridge and the Wutong Passenger Terminal to learn about transport links between Xiamen and Kinmen. The group also looked at archival materials on Fujian-Taiwan exchanges in Jimei district.

Delegation members said the visit offered a close look at Fujian's efforts in cross-Strait integration, the preservation of its maritime cultural heritage, and its broader opening-up initiatives. They said that they hope to strengthen links and encourage cooperation between their respective countries and Fujian in areas including trade, infrastructure, and marine development.