More than 100 Fujian people gathered at a get-together in Xiamen, Fujian province on Oct 9 to discuss how to further boost Pingtan’s development.

A guest speaks at a meeting on Pingtan’s development held in Xiamen, Fujian province, Oct 9. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

The occasion is part of the 8th Global Congress of Fujianese, an influential triennial event aimed at increasing communication between and from overseas Fujian natives and promoting business opportunities.

Guests at the get-together included about 60 Pingtan natives from many countries, including Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Australia, Tanzania and Singapore. Other guests were overseas Fujian entrepreneurs and leaders of overseas Chinese associations.

Xu Weize, director of Pingtan’s administration, extended welcome to the guests and briefed them on Pingtan’s basic information.

He highlighted Pingtan’s business climate by pointing out that Pingtan is the only experimental zone on the Chinese mainland for comprehensive cross-Straits cooperation, and that it is part of the Fujian Free Trade Zone.

An island county in eastern Fujian, the core of China’s Road and Belt initiative, Pingtan will become an important gateway of China’s opening-up policy. It also aims to build an international tourist island, said Xu.

After several years of development, Pingtan has good infrastructure for industrial growth. Local authorities have also made policies and incentives to attract business, he added.

Many entrepreneurs and overseas Chinese association leaders expressed willingness to invest in Pingtan or help promote its business. Followings are some quotes:

Chen Xiujie (president of a Fujian economic and cultural communication organization in Japan)

“We will spread word of Pingtan’s preferential business incentives among overseas Chinese businessmen and call on them to contribute to the development of Pingtan.”

Chen Xiaozhon (president of a Fujian entrepreneurs association in Kaohsiung, Taiwan)

“I hope Pingtan can hold more promotional events in Pingtan so as to help more of Taiwan’s entrepreneurs know about its business prospects. Our association is willing to serve as a publicity platform for Pingtan in Kaohsiung.”

Jiang Qibi (president of a Fujianese coalition in Taipei, Taiwan)

“I know Pingtan has rolled out a number of policies for investors. I will encourage more young Taiwanese people to work in and enjoy the benefits of Pingtan.”

Lin Jinshan (chairwoman of a Fujianese association in Australia)

“Education plays an important role in Pingtan’s globalization strategy; where our association can pitch in is by introducing talents and facilitating cooperation between schools in Pingtan and Australia.”