The Chinese leadership has attached great importance to Fujian, given the geographical advantages conferred on the province by its proximity to Taiwan, said Sun Chunlan, Party chief of the East China province.

To bring the advantages of the province to full display, the central government implemented several preferential policies in 2011, including the Development Outline for the Western Straits Economic Zone and the Overall Plan for the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone.

Pingtan, an island not far from the provincial capital of Fuzhou, has "made great achievements in opening up to residents of Taiwan and attracting investment from Taiwan over the past year thanks to the 28 preferential policies", Sun said at this year's Straits Forum in Xiamen earlier this year.

The island will invest nearly 100 billion yuan ($15.7 billion) by the end of 2012 to construct local infrastructure, including bridges, railways, highways and water transfer projects.

Furthermore, the Straits, a cross-Straits ship, has transported 47,000 passengers since its maiden trip from Pingtan to Taichung, Taiwan's third-largest city, in November 2011, providing a more convenient connection between the mainland and Taiwan.

In Xiamen, a financial service center covering an area of 21 square kilometers is planned and under construction.

There will also be cross-Straits cooperation zones for emerging industries and the modern service sector.

The province's capital Fuzhou and other major cities, such as Quanzhou and Zhangzhou, are also setting up investment zones and pioneering parks for investors from Taiwan.

"Fujian is keen to borrow experience from Taiwan in developing agriculture, technology and modern service industries," Sun said. "We encourage companies on both sides to cooperate in product R&D and marketing."

She added that the provincial government is also considering more exchange programs in culture, healthcare and education.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn

(HK Edition 09/08/2012 page5)