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Coastal cities help build ties across the Straits

By Xie Yu (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-26 08:15

Walking through the naval bases along the coast of Fujian, the mainland province closest to Taiwan, it is still possible to read some old, fading slogans painted on rocks and the sides of buildings extolling the need to remain vigilant against "secrets leaking from your lips".

They are a remnant of the late 1980s, when relations across the Straits were at a low point.

"The only reason they are still there is because they have not been painted over in recent years," explained Chen Yonglin, a regimental officer at Fujian naval base in Ningde.

In many areas of the haixi region, which includes Fujian and parts of Zhejiang, Guangdong and Jiangxi provinces, these slogans have already been erased and replaced with new messages, ones that speak of peace and cooperation.

Haixi, which translates as "west bank of the Taiwan Straits", is a top priority for the government, especially in Fujian where, due to its mountainous landscape and proximity to Taiwan, economic development has been slower than its coastal neighbors.

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In May, the State Council approved plans to support the setting up of a haixi economic zone (HEZ), a project championed by the provincial authorities in Fujian since 2004. The nation's cabinet said in a recent document: "The major positive changes that have taken place in the cross-Straits relationship have provided significant opportunities for boosting the development of the HEZ."

Experts hailed the move as one that will transform the province from a frontline into a base for advancing cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation.

Huang Jiehui, 60, started his orchid business in Zhangzhou, a city in southern Fujian, in 2005, when the mainland and Taiwan established a pioneering agricultural cooperation trial.

His ancestors have lived in Taiwan for several generations, but originated from Fujian.

"I could still feel the blood tie with Fujian," he told China Daily. "I feel comfortable here. It's close to Taiwan, and similar to Taiwan. Taiwan was called the 'kingdom of orchids' for its production and sales volume. It also it has an obvious advantage in seed breeding."

But he explained the industry is gradually shifting to the mainland, mainly because the market is bigger and production costs are cheaper.

Huang takes orchid seeds from Taiwan to plant in Zhangzhou. It takes him less than five hours to make the round trip, via a boat ride and short flight, and this year he expanded his orchid garden to three times its original size. He is now preparing to retire and let his son, who is in his 20s, take over the business. "My forefathers lived here, so it's only natural my family has returned," he added.

It is believed 80 percent of Taiwan natives can trace their families back to Fujian.

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