Pingtan zone pushes for cross-Straits development

As the area on the Chinese mainland that is closest to Taiwan province, the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone in East China's Fujian province has made great strides in promoting cross-Straits cooperation and development since its establishment six years ago, according to news released on April 22.

Located in the southeast part of Fujian, the zone has explored a number of innovative ways to deepen ties with Taiwan, and has developed itself into a main driving force for the integrated development across the Straits.

The innovative semiconductor technology company CR Technology (Pingtan) Co in the Taiwan Entrepreneurship Park in Pingtan has benefited significantly from the preferable policies released by the zone, and has offered the company fertile ground for development, according to Chen Meng-pang, president of the company.

As the only Taiwan-oriented comprehensive experimental zone on the mainland, Pingtan has acted as a bridgehead serving Taiwan residents and companies over the years, and has rolled out a series of innovative policies and action plans to explore a new path for the integrated development of both sides.

The zone has also set up an exchange center to provide Taiwan residents legal services as part of efforts to protect the legitimate rights and interests of compatriots on both sides of the Straits.

Trade between Pingtan and Taiwan has progressed smoothly, injecting strong momentum into the development of the logistics business across the Straits.

Official data shows that in 2020, the total value of cross-border e-commerce goods and marine expresses in the zone reached 3.44 billion yuan ($529.84 million), a 32 percent year-on-year increase. The total business volume of shipping express to Taiwan from the zone was ranked first in the nation last year.