The new airport in Xiamen is open for public naming suggestions, with previous proposals including naming it after Zheng Chenggong and Chen Jiageng.
On December 4th, the Command Center of the Xiamen Airport Area issued a notice titled “Public Solicitation for Opinions and Suggestions on Naming the New Xiamen Airport as ‘Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport'” (hereinafter referred to as “the Notice”).
The Notice stated that the airport name is not only an important component of airport construction and operation but also a business card that showcases the city’s image. In accordance with relevant regulations such as the “Regulations on Place Name Management,” “Regulations on the Use of Transport Airports,” and “Management Measures for Civil Airports Naming,” and considering the actual situation of the new airport in Xiamen, it is proposed to name the new airport “Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport” after comprehensive evaluation and expert demonstration.
The Notice provided two reasons for choosing the name “Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport”:
1. Compliance with airport naming policy regulations. The “Management Measures for Civil Airports Naming” (Civil Aviation Regulation [2023] No. 29) stipulates that eligible airport names typically consist of two parts: “specific name + common name.” Generally, this is structured as “primary specific name + secondary specific name + common name.” The primary specific name should align with the administrative division name of the city, state, league, county, district, or banner where it is located, while the secondary specific name usually uses the name of the city, county, district, banner, township, town, or street where the airport is situated. The common name is either “airport” or “international airport.” Names based on personal names or local products are generally not used as specific names for airports. Naming the new airport “Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport,” with “Xiamen” as the primary specific name, “Xiang’an” as the secondary specific name, and “international airport” as the common name, complies with relevant policy regulations.
2. Alignment with the requirements of contemporary development, reflecting the city’s spiritual connotation. Xiamen is a well-known “International Garden City,” honored as a “National Ecological Garden City” and one of “China’s Top Ten Livable Cities.” The name “Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport” not only interprets Xiamen’s diverse and inclusive maritime culture but also aligns with the development concept of Xiamen as an international metropolis that embraces diversity. It embodies the spirit of striving for success, hard work, and resilience in the face of difficulties, symbolizing prosperity, public safety, and the safe operation of aviation, which resonates with people’s aspirations for a better life.
The Notice indicated that it is now widely soliciting opinions and suggestions from the public regarding the naming of the new airport in Xiamen, and relevant organizations and the public can provide feedback by December 11, 2024.
However, some netizens expressed their views on social media, suggesting that “this beautiful coastal city of Xiamen, rich in historical and cultural heritage, has a close connection with the deeds of Zheng Chenggong, which is a brilliant gem in its history. Therefore, it is recommended that the new airport be named ‘Xiamen Chenggong International Airport.'”
The netizen who made this suggestion argued that Zheng Chenggong is an important figure in Xiamen’s history, having established a base for resisting the Qing Dynasty in Xiamen and conducted military activities such as troop training, leaving behind numerous historical sites like Longtou Mountain Fortress on Gulangyu Island and Jimei Fortress. These sites bear witness to his heroic deeds and profound influence on Xiamen. Naming the airport after “Chenggong” would be a way to inherit and promote this historical culture, allowing people to feel the rich historical heritage of Xiamen and Zheng Chenggong’s patriotic spirit when entering and exiting the airport.
The netizen also pointed out that Xiang’an District is one of the key areas where Zheng Chenggong was active, having stationed troops and trained soldiers there. These historical events add unique cultural charm to Xiang’an. Building the new airport in Xiang’an District and naming it “Xiamen Chenggong International Airport” would further highlight Xiang’an’s significant position in Xiamen’s historical culture, promote cultural inheritance and economic development in Xiang’an District, and achieve an organic integration of historical culture and modern transportation.
The reporter from The Paper noted that there had previously been suggestions to name the new airport “Tan Kah Kee International Airport.” For instance, during the second session of the 13th Fujian Provincial People’s Congress in 2019, Fujian Provincial People’s Representative Chen Cheng proposed the suggestion to name the new airport “Tan Kah Kee International Airport.” However, according to the response published by the Fujian Provincial People’s Congress at that time, the Xiamen Municipal Government replied that it was “temporarily unable to resolve due to conditions.” In response, the proposing representative stated, “Given the current situation, it can be understood. However, Xiamen is a special economic zone and also bears the mission of being a cross-strait exchange pilot zone; ‘no precedent’ should not become the guiding principle for special zone work.”
