Fujian Pingtan Promotes the Reform and Opening up of the Free Trade Experimental Zone to Enhance the Investment Facilitation of Taiwan-funded Enterprises

Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone announced on the 14th that the Implementation Plan for the Further Reform and Opening up of the Pingtan Area of the China (Fujian) Free Trade Experimental Zone (hereinafter referred to as "the Plan") has been issued to further deepen the reform and opening up of the Free Trade Experimental Zone and expand cross-strait economic and cultural exchange and cooperation.

The Pingtan area is an important part of the China (Fujian) Free Trade Experimental Zone. Economic experts pointed out that the Plan will further deepen the reform and opening up of the Free Trade Experimental Zone and build a new system of open economy; further develop the advantages of the coastal areas which is close to Taiwan, construct an institutional innovation system with Pingtan characteristics and highlighting the pioneering toward Taiwan; further focus on the development of new commercial activities and deepen the industrial communication and cooperation with Taiwan and countries and regions along the Maritime Silk Road.

The Plan proposes that by 2020, Pingtan will take the lead in compliance of construction requirements for free trade port, establishing an institutional system that is linked to international investment and trade rules, forming a legal, internationalized, and facilitated business environment, creating openness and innovation integrated comprehensive reform experimental zone, the "one family" integrated development demonstration zone and the International Tourism Island that is good to live, work and tour.

Pingtan has a special position advantage. In terms of Taiwan, the Plan calls for further leveraging the advantages of location close to Taiwan, deepening the development of cross-strait integration, enhancing the investment facilitation of Taiwan-funded enterprises, establishing a rapid cross-strait customs clearance model, promoting cross-strait financial cooperation, creating a new platform for cross-strait youth innovation and entrepreneurship, expanding new channels for cross-strait communication and association, and construction of a cross-strait village head exchange club.

The Plan also stipulates to support Taiwan's industry associations and social organizations to set up branches according to law and participate in public activities; strengthen exchange and cooperation between the cross-strait business circles, think tanks, business associations and professional service organizations; promote the construction of cross-strait Chinese culture centers and deepen cross-strait culture exchange; build cross-strait vocational education training exchange and cooperation center, and hold cross-strait education seminars, training, certification, and activities.

In respect of the economic flow of the free trade zone, the Plan proposes to speed up the construction of International Tourism Island, accelerate the creation of a comprehensive zone of cross-border e-commerce with characteristics, accelerate the construction of a service outsourcing demonstration city, and accelerate the establishment of a cross-strait high-end medical and special medical agglomeration zone, and build a cross-strait film and television and new media industry development cooperation base. The Plan also stipulates to expand the "Belt and Road" tourism cooperation, protect the cultural heritage of the Maritime Silk Road, such as the exploration of Keqiutou Site, the Austronesian family culture, the underwater site of Haitan Strait, the Tomb of Ryukyu Emperor's Son-in-law, and establish an exchange and cooperation mechanism among Pingtan, Taiwan and Austronesian ethnic groups.