Hairdresser from Taiwan finds love and business in Fuzhou

Lin Yang-chieh, a hairdresser from Taiwan, first came to Fuzhou, Fujian province, for his wife, Wu Xiaoli. But then he expanded his business there.

"The mainland market is huge, and once I came here I never wanted to leave," Lin said.

In 2020, Lin opened his hair salon in Fuzhou. This year, he also hired an assistant and hopes to expand. His wife plans to open a branch of her own beauty salon.

Lin was running a hair salon in Taiwan when he came across the livestream of Wu by chance and was attracted by her gentle voice, sweet smile and enthusiastic interaction.

After adding each other on WeChat, they started an online romance. Lin frequently visited Fuzhou for dates and gained insights about the beauty and hair industry there.

He moved to Fuzhou in 2019, married Wu and found a job as a stylist in a local hair salon. A year later, he opened his own salon.

In 2022, the couple applied for public rental housing for Taiwan compatriots in Fuzhou, with rent lower than the market price. After more than a year of living there, he felt "quite warm with many fellow Taiwan transplants — and we can visit each other".

Lin's affection for the city continues to deepen. He takes time to give charity haircuts at nursing homes, communities, parks and other places. He said that doing something within his abilities makes him happy. It's also his way of integrating into local life.

"In the future, I hope to attract more friends from Taiwan to come and work together on the Chinese mainland to create greater value," he said.