Taiwan Today

Fujian Province in mainland China will grant 10special forms of preferential treatment to Taiwanese business, said Chen Hua, deputy governor of Fujian Province Aug.10. Chen is currently in Taiwan, heading a delegation comprised of 200-strong business and political heavyweights from mainland China. What was of special interest was Chen’s suggestion that not only businesses, but the municipal governments of Taiwan, participate in a joint plan to develop the integrated development zone in Pingtan. The zone would be similar to the special industrial park in Suzhou, which was developed by Singapore in collaboration with mainland China, sources said. While similar to the park built by the Singaporeans, it would also be quite different, since the park would not be mainly for manufacturing industries, but for environmentally friendly enterprises. If the plan is indeed carried out, it would mark a new collaboration model between Taiwan and mainland China. As to the 10 special measures, they include: allowing Taiwan to participate in the construction of ports and highways; encouraging Fuzhou-based enterprises, such as Xiamen Airlines and Industrial Bank Co. Ltd., to invest capital in Taiwan; and designating a 1,000-hectare plot of land in Fuzhou for the establishment of a special experiment park. The plans proposed all have the support of mainland China’s State Council, and are in line with its directives to speed up the construction of the Haixi Economic Zone, added Chen, who noted that the plans are of immense significance to both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Not only are the plans pivotal to the development of Fujian, they are also of profound importance to cross-strait peace, he said. (TYH-HZW)