'26 measures' promote cross-Straits relations

New policies help Taiwan companies take part in major mainland industries

New policies to promote economic and cultural cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have been welcomed by many business leaders from across the Taiwan Straits.

The policies, also called the "26 measures", allow Taiwan-funded companies to take part in the mainland's key industries, such as major technical equipment, 5G and civil aviation.

Made by the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office and the National Development and Reform Commission, the measures took effect on Monday and provide Taiwan-funded companies with more convenience and support in many fields, including consular protection, transportation and telecommunication costs.

They will also have more equal access to financing, trade relief and import and export facilitation.

Shen Ching-fang, chairman of the board of Avary Holding, said that many Taiwan-funded companies have shared the same rights as their mainland's competitors in many industries.

"The efficient services of the mainland's government, modern infrastructure, complete industrial chain and a large amount of high-quality labor have encouraged more Taiwan companies to settle on the mainland," he said. "The cooperation between the mainland and Taiwan has a prosperous future."

Li Cheng-hung, president of the Association of Taiwan Compatriots Investment Enterprises, said that the"26 measures" are a big surprise for Taiwan business people.

"Many of the measures are useful, practical and easy to operate," Li said. "What we Taiwan business people most want is access to some industries. We also look forward to equal rights. The measures have qualified us and even specify our rights in purchasing real estate and participating in sports and cultural activities."

Li said that recent policies have become more effective and have benefited more Taiwan companies.

He said it is good "that we can seek consular protection and assistance from the mainland's embassies and consulates abroad and apply for travel documents".

Li Ting-yu, chairman of the board of Jiangsu Huacun Electronic Technology Company, said that he did not expect that the "26 measures" would have come out so quickly and let Taiwan-funded companies have access to sensitive industries.

"Some industries were untouchable for us before," he said. "The measures enable our company, which deals in integrated circuits, to have a better platform to work with mainland manufacturers and expand our market."

Cui Genliang, chairman of Hengtong Group in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, said that the preferential measures given to Taiwan business people "have made private company leaders on the mainland envious".

"The safe development of Taiwan-funded companies has been guaranteed on the mainland," he said.

"The mainland's reform and opening-up has provided a great opportunity for Taiwan companies. They have contributed to the development of the mainland. The mainland and Taiwan have become an inseparable community of shared interests."

According to him, 28,000 Taiwan-funded projects have been established in Jiangsu province. More than 100,000 Taiwan people live permanently in the city of Kunshan, which houses more than 5,000 Taiwan-funded companies.

About 16,000 young people from Taiwan have initiated more than 1,000 entrepreneurship programs since 2016.