Expansion plans to help attract Taiwan investment, Sun said

Xiamen has taken its first steps towards becoming a regional cross-Straits financial center after the State Council approved the expansion of the special economic zone to include the entire city, said Sun Chunlan, secretary of the Fujian provincial Party committee.

Speaking at the second Straits Forum on June 20, Sun said that both the expansion of the Fuzhou-Taiwan Business Investment Zone and the establishment of the Quanzhou-Hong Kong-Taiwan Business Investment Zone are also now under way.

In addition, the construction of the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone has begun as an "important measure benefiting people on both sides of the Straits" that will promote harmonious relations.

Fujian will now put forward more measures related to Taiwan, said Sun, which includes 15 high-level administrative positions that have been opened to talent from the island at higher learning institutions, research institutes and the Taiwan farmer entrepreneurship park.

She stressed that the province will provide better service in simplifying the procedures and offering loans, while encouraging Taiwan-funded enterprises to expand operations.

More measures will be taken to promote the purchase of agricultural products from Taiwan, enable more tourists to visit the island province and facilitate necessary qualifications and certificates, said Sun.

A scholarship system will also be established for Taiwan students and more effort will be made to help "Taiwan businesspeople feel more confident about investing and living in Fujian", said the Party secretary.

Fujian will strengthen all-round cooperation with Taiwan in accordance with the proposal made by the Communist Party of China's Central Committee to make it a base for cultural exchange with direct transport links, added Sun, putting the province at the core of cross-Straits economic and trade cooperation.

Editor: Tang Zhi