Two passengers from Taiwan speak with their family in a video chat while taking the Fuxing bullet train G9801 on the Fuzhou-Xiamen-Zhangzhou high-speed railway in Fujian Province, Sept. 28, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

 
Fuzhou in East China's Fujian Province on Sunday announced 10 measures covering import-export trade, market expansion, equal treatment and cultural exchanges to strengthen exchanges between Fuzhou and Matsu, a small island attached to China's Taiwan region but close to the Chinese mainland, according to a post on the Fuzhou government's WeChat account. 

The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the 27th Cross-Straits Fair for Economy and Trade, as the city rolled out a second batch of pilot policies aimed at building a "Fuzhou-Matsu living circle."

When it comes to supporting industrial integration, Fuzhou will offer streamlined Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership certificate issuance for products processed in the Fuzhou-Matsu industrial cooperation park and exported to Southeast Asia.

As for supporting market expansion, qualified enterprises from Matsu and Taiwan-funded companies registered in Fuzhou are eligible to apply for government quality awards. Fuzhou will also help Taiwan-funded companies expand markets through various platforms such as exhibitions.

In addition, Taiwan businesses entering the industrial cooperation park may receive up to 50 square meters of free office and exhibition space in state-owned properties, with access to incubation services from 2025 to 2029, according to Fuzhou's WeChat post.

Measures dedicated to supporting the daily life of Taiwan compatriots were also included. Taiwan compatriots in Fuzhou and Matsu residents holding travel permits can enjoy the same benefits as Fuzhou residents and participate in trade-in programs for consumer goods. Also, Fuzhou will improve measures to include Taiwan compatriots living in the city in its housing support system, ensuring they receive the same treatment as local residents. 

As for boosting closer people-to-people exchanges, the policy encourages artists from the Taiwan region to organize small-scale commercial performances in Fuzhou by providing venues and financial support.

The firm policy support has further spurred economic exchanges between the two cities. The newly established Fuzhou-Matsu industrial cooperation park has signed up six Matsu enterprise projects, including food processing and cold chain storage logistics, with a total investment of 750 million yuan ($104.07 million). So far, the park has registered 16 Matsu enterprises with a cumulative registered capital of 170 million yuan, chinanews.com reported on May 8. 

Global Times