Taiwan compatriots enjoy same treatment with mainlanders in larger scale, more fields: spokesperson

BEIJING - A Chinese mainland spokesperson has said that over the past year or so, Taiwan compatriots enjoyed the same treatment as mainland people in a larger scale and more fields.

The result comes from further implementation of the 31 measures launched in February last year for promoting cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference Wednesday.

For instance, a total of 573 Taiwan compatriots applied for China's first unified qualification exam for legal professionals last September, with 81 passing it to obtain legal professional certificates, according to the spokesperson.

Moreover, with the 31 measures, the pilot free trade zones in five provinces and municipality including Liaoning, Henan and Chongqing became the latest pilot zones for Taiwan compatriots to work at mainland public institutions. Currently, there are more than 1,600 Taiwan teachers at over 200 mainland universities, she said.

Also, Taiwan researchers working in mainland submitted 157 projects to the annual programs and youth programs of the National Social Science Fund of China of 2018, with 58 approved, Zhu continued.