A visit to Shapowei, a historic harbor district in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, has brought a sense of familiarity to Weerasinghe Gedara Saumya Nimeshani Kulasekara, a young visitor from Sri Lanka attending the 2026 World Ocean Week.

Walking through its narrow alleys and along the waterfront, Saumya is reminded of the coastal communities in Sri Lanka's Galle District. She sees similarities in how both places embrace development while preserving their maritime heritage and traditional culture.