Pingtan holds sixth 'Common Homeland' Forum

The sixth "Common Homeland" Forum was convened in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone in Fujian province on June 19.

More than 300 government officials, entrepreneurs and scholars from the mainland and Taiwan attended the important cross-Straits event, with discussions focusing on promoting youth entrepreneurship and tourism in Pingtan, the closest city on the Chinese mainland to Taiwan.

Zheng Zhajie, deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council, addressed the forum, and encouraged more Taiwan youth to hop across the Strait to start businesses in Pingtan.

Pingtan's position as a part of the Fujian Free Trade Zone and the only comprehensive pilot zone on the mainland that offers preferential policies to Taiwan residents has made the island city a hotspot for young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait in recent years, according to Zheng.

"More Taiwan youth are welcome to pay a visit to the city and seize the booming opportunities here," the deputy director added.

Zheng Zhajie, deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, encourages more Taiwan youth to hop across the Taiwan Strait to start businesses in Pingtan at the sixth "Common Homeland" Forum in Pingtan on June 19. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zheng's speech was echoed by Yok Mu-ming, chairman of Taiwan's New Party .

"Pingtan, owing to its notable geographical and policy advantages, provides youth with favorable conditions to start a business," Yok said.

Yok Mu-ming, chairman of Taiwan's New Party, expresses his hope that Taiwan and Pingtan will further mutual communication and exchanges to achieve a win-win cooperation at the sixth “Common Homeland” Forum in Pingtan on June 19. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Li Dejin, vice governor of Fujian Provincial People's Government, also noted at the conference that the central government attaches great significance to Pingtan's development.

The provincial government shall continue to support the city's development and aims eventually to build it into a "common homeland" for people from both the mainland and Taiwan, Li pledged.

Zhang Zhaomin, Party chief of Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, briefed attendees on Pingtan's achievements over the past several years.

Pingtan has witnessed dramatic development in city infrastructure and transportation after investing 250 billion yuan ($38 billion) over the past five years, according to Zhang.

The city still maintains frequent exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan in the fields of economy, culture and society even when cross-Straits governmental exchanges come to a halt, Zhang revealed.

The forum also included performances by groups of Taiwan residents who work in Pingtan, such as Moligaoshanqing, a percussion group that makes music using igneous rocks collected from Pingtan's Junshan Mountain.

The first "Common Homeland" Forum was held in June 2012 and has become a significant occasion for cross-Straits academic exchanges, economic cooperation and cultural integration. It also helps build a harmonious relationship between Pingtan and Taiwan.

The percussive rhythms of Moligaoshanqing, which blends together famous songs from Taiwan and the mainland, is staged during the sixth "Common Homeland" Forum in Pingtan, Fujian province on June 19. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]