Business ties boosted across Strait

Taiwan entrepreneurs called on to grasp development opportunities on mainland

Top political adviser Wang Huning called for strengthening communication and cooperation between business communities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to seek new opportunities and development at a cross-Strait summit held in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Tuesday.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2023 annual conference of the summit for entrepreneurs across the Taiwan Strait.

Wang said that the mainland provides excellent opportunities for compatriots and businesses from Taiwan to develop on the mainland, and that it has been and is undoubtedly the best choice for them to invest and thrive in the past, at present and in the future.

The mainland has always upheld the concept of "one family on both sides of the Strait", and has strengthened economic cooperation and deepened integration and development across the Strait, he said.

The adviser added that the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations best serves the interests and aspirations of compatriots on both sides, and that the two sides should join hands to seek peace in the Taiwan Strait, unity for the country, and rejuvenation for the nation.

The conference this year has attracted some 800 participants, including members of the summit's council, entrepreneurs, experts and scholars from both sides.

Established with the mission of promoting cross-Strait exchanges, advancing industrial cooperation and fostering mutually beneficial economic ties, the summit serves as a high-level platform for entrepreneurs to share their wisdom, engage in dialogue and enhance industrial cooperation.

Guo Jinlong, president of the summit's council on the mainland, said that the mainland will continue to provide good services for Taiwan compatriots and businesses in their development.

"The total trade volume between the two sides has nearly doubled over the past decade," Guo said. "The fundamental purpose of deepening the integration and development across the Taiwan Strait is to enhance the kinship and well-being of compatriots on both sides, promote spiritual affinity and realize the common aspiration for a better life."

Liu Chao-shiuan, president of the summit's council in Taiwan, said that in the face of a complex external environment, the industrial sectors on both sides should open their hearts and cooperate sincerely to fully grasp the opportunities brought by the integrated and high-quality development of industries across the Taiwan Strait.

He said that he hopes for the efforts from both sides to consolidate the existing framework of cooperation agreements and, based on that, to explore new directions and strategies to promote the integrated development of industries on both sides and pursue win-win outcomes.

Lin Tien-liang, special assistant to the chairman of Want Want China Holdings, said that the group will continue to expand its investment on the mainland and seize opportunities to develop internationally through the platform of the Shanghai Import Expo.

"President Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter, top political adviser Wang Huning's speech and the main theme of this summit are all focused on integration and high-quality development, as well as the spiritual connection between compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, in order to fulfill the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," said Lin.

"According to the recent announcement by the Ministry of Commerce on the mainland, 33,154 new foreign-invested enterprises were established on the mainland in the first eight months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 33 percent," he said.

"Investment from Taiwan has also maintained stable growth, with a year-on-year increase of 23.4 percent in the number of new investment projects in the first eight months, and a year-on-year increase of 54.8 percent in the amount invested.

"This shows that the mainland remains the top choice for Taiwan people's overseas investment," said Lin. "With an area approximately 300 times that of Taiwan and a population nearly 60 times larger, the mainland has a huge market, providing vast business opportunities for entrepreneurs from Taiwan."

Guo Jun contributed to this story.