Taiwan businessmen swarm to the Cross-straits Fair for Economy and Trade, indicating the acceleration of cross-strait exchanges and cooperation as the Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone speeds up carrying out pilot policies and practices about exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan.

A total of 423 Taiwan business corporations have participated in the 12th Cross-straits Fair for Economy and Trade and the 7th Commodities Fair Fujian China, an increase of 78% over the previous year. They have arranged 904 booths with a general exhibition area of 19,000 square meters, twice more than those of the previous year. The scale of exhibition for Taiwan corporations has hit a new high in the history of cross-straits fairs.

Taiwan Exhibition Hall is divided into 9 areas including video-audio show of cities and counties in Taiwan, Taiwan bio-technology demonstration, cross-strait consuming e-products presentation, Taiwan special food promotion, Taiwan tea promotion and so on.

It is noticeable that about thirty famous companies from Taiwan and Chinese mainland set up exhibition stands shoulder to shoulder. Asusteck Computer, Tsann Kuen Enterprise, Excel Cell Electronic and other electronic manufacturers from Taiwan are seen beside China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile. They show hot new e-products that catch the eyes of each guest. Moreover, Gaoxiong, Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu arranged specially-decorated stands to unfold delicate local conventions and flavors.

Fujian Provincial government is determined to take advantage of the 12th Cross-straits Fair for Economy and Trade and strengthen cross-strait exchanges and cooperation in all fields in a mutually-beneficial basis. Fujian’s ambition and vision for long-term wide-range cross-strait exchanges and cooperation win strong support from central government and the State Council.

In 2009, Opinions on Supporting Fujian Province to Accelerate the Construction of Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone was issued by State Council; President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao paid visits to Fujian and met with Taiwan entrepreneurs, showing central government’s great care and support for Taiwan businessmen who start enterprises in Chinese mainland; Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone is set up as a pilot basis for direct exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan; just ten days ago, Fujian provincial governor Huang Xiaojin leaded a huge delegation of officials and experts in all fields to Taiwan, sincerely inviting and promoting Taiwan businesses to operate in Fujian. All these favorable measures greatly inspired Taiwan compatriots and attracted more and more Taiwan businessmen to explore opportunities in Fujian.

On the first day of the 12th Cross-straits Fair for Economy and Trade, seven key projects with a total investment of 729,000,000 dollars have been signed, of which Taiwan entrepreneurs put in 297,000,000 dollars.

Synnex Technology International Corporation, the world No.3 and Asian No.1 specialized distributor and server of high-tech industry will throw 15 million dollars to set up a management and technical center in Fujian. The company is very confident about its first venture in Fujian and plans its business volume to reach 40 to 50 million yuan in two years.

Foxconn’s Distributing department of confirmed 100 millions dollars’ investment to set up Foxconn Fujian headquater and a digital supermarket CYBERMART.

TYNTEK Corporation, an optoelectronic enterprise in Taiwan will cooperate with Fujian Electronic and IT Group and Fuzhou municipal government in manufacturing LED epitaxial slice, the project’s total investment reaching 400millions dollars.

Taiwan compatriots share the same flesh and blood with people in the western bank of the straits and Taiwan is geologically connected to Fujian. Chinese mainland has a vast territory, rich natural resources and brisk demand, which is very inviting to Taiwan investors, says Leslie Koo, President of Taiwan Chia Hsin Cement Corporation. Mr Koo set up his cement factory in Changle (Fuzhou) and has achieved a new high in business over the past decades of performance in Taiwan. He believes that the Western Taiwan Straits Economic Zone will be a hotspot for economic growth after the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta. He also calls for Taiwan entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity, extend business in Fujian and contribute to the construction of Fujian.

Koo speaking to journalists from China Daily and other media, photo by Zhu Xinxin

People are crowded and exhibitions are buzzing in Fujian Strait International Conference & Exhibition Center; and cross-strait economic and trade cooperation and exchanges are bound to boost just as vitally as the huge flattering butterfly signified by the exhibition center building.

By Ye Yanlin