The Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone's administrative committee recently put forward a series of polices to encourage more Taiwan college graduates to start a business in Fujian province's county of Pingtan, the Chinese mainland's first economic zone to open up to Taiwan.

Qualified Taiwan college graduates will be able to directly register their enterprise at the local industry and commerce administrative department, and they will not be required to make a down payment if the registered capital does not exceed one million yuan ($162,600).

The new policies mean that Taiwan graduate entrepreneurs will be able to apply for a micro-credit loan or discount government loan of up to 150,000 yuan, and will also be eligible for business incentives of up to 150,000 - after paying tax for more than a year and creating tangible social benefits.

New public welfare enterprises that settle in Pingtan's special venture base, will be eligible for a 50-square-meter office space free of charge during their first three years of operation, and will be exempt from paying the fee to rent a booth if they participate in exhibitions and festive activities in Pingtan.

In addition, Taiwan graduates with a master's degree will enjoy subsidies for their accommodation equaling 60 percent of the rent, and PhD holders will be able to purchase low-cost housing.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman