Diane Snider Photos

Security lights are still turned on in this photo taken at early dawn of a dock area in Xiamen, China where containers are lined up as far as one can see as they await shipment to ports throughout the world. The city of Xiamen with its strategic position on the China Sea has attracted investors, traders and foreigners throughout its long history dating back to about 1387. This same port also is now used by the cruise ship industry bringing tourists into the area.

The name XIAMEN was well chosen as it means "Gate to China" which indeed it has been ever since its early origination about 1376. Made up of several islands yet in modern times connected by bridge to mainland China, it has had an active history, including various wars, through many Chinese Dynasties and even into the 20th Century.