The website of the state-owned Xinhua News Agency recently interviewed You Mengjun, deputy director of the administrative committee of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (PCPZ), who discussed Pingtan's development plans for 2014.

You Mengjun, deputy director of the administrative committee of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (PCPZ), discusses Pingtan's development plans for 2014.

Q: Fujian Governor Su Shulin said in an annual work report on Jan 12 that "Pingtan has the basic conditions for overall opening and development". What exactly are these conditions?

A: After three years since its opening, the PCPZ has made big strides and achievements in various sectors.

The first condition concerns policies. We have a joint ministerial meeting mechanism, with 15 central departments offering preferential policies for Pingtan. The Fujian government has given various provincial-level departments the authority to approve decisions concerning 52 areas - and executive power in 44 areas.

For example, the authorities have approved an industrial guidance directory, methods for customs inspection and quarantine and rules on petty trade with Taiwan. And policies concerning the exemption of the 15 percent corporate income tax and refund of the value added tax and consumption tax at the second customs checkpoint are expected to be announced soon.

Second, Pingtan has made innovations in key reforms. It now has a comprehensive executive administration system, an administrative service center, a treasury payment center and a bidding and auction center. The establishment of two customs checkpoints provides the basic conditions for the Pingtan Closure - and the construction of an integrated customs supervision zone is nearly completed. In addition, Pingtan has become a pilot zone for a provincial business registration system.

The infrastructures have been upgraded and cross-Straits relations have improved - as 134 Taiwan-funded enterprises have settled in Pingtan in the past three years. And Taiwan compatriots are increasingly engaging in exploring possibilities in Pingtan. All this indicates a sound future for Pingtan - which is on a fast track for its overall opening up process and development.

Q: What is the state of Pingtan's infrastructure? Do the authorities have any long-term targets?

A: The development of Pingtan relies on a supporting system of urban development. We have divided Pingtan into four functional zones - Jinjing Bay, Aoqian, Lancheng and Jidiao bonded zone. The Jinjing Bay zone framework will be built first and will lead the way in cross-Straits communications.

Additionally, the auxiliary bridge for the Haixia Bridge is set to be completed soon. The road-rail bridge is also under construction and will become a second channel linking Pingtan and the inland. The construction of main downtown boulevards - such as the round-island road - is gathering momentum. These projects will allow the comprehensive traffic system and urban framework of Pingtan to expand - and the supporting facilities will be greatly improved as a result.

Regarding marine traffic - the Haixia sails on the Pingtan-Taichung and Pingtan-Taipei routes and has carried more than 210,000 people since it was launched (more than two years ago), making Pingtan a main cross-Straits service channel. We plan to put another high-speed roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry into operation this year.

Q: How will the new roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry lead to an increase in Pingtan's annual passenger numbers?

A: The addition of a high-speed passenger ship will lead to an increased number of cross-Straits crossings and increase Pingtan's passenger volume to 200,000. In addition, we will try to obtain the right to drive Taiwan vehicles in Fujian province in order to boost cross-Straits communications and transportation.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman