Fujian's Provincial Party Secretary has called for an acceleration in the construction of Pingtan free port – which aims to boost cross-Straits investment and communications.

You Quan also said that Pingtan should accelerate construction of industrial zones for Taiwan enterprises, strive to integrate resources and deepen mechanism reform and innovation. He made the comments during the ninth plenary session of the 9th CPC Fujian Provincial Committee on August 16.

A new integrated customs regulatory system was implemented in Pingtan on August 1. It includes the establishment of two levels of customs barriers, setting up a supervision system around the whole of Pingtan, a digital platform concerning information about customs supervision and a petty trade market that is open to residents of Pingtan and Taiwan.

You added that Pingtan should strive for the correct implementation of the new customs system in order to facilitate cross-Straits communication, tourism and financing services.

An increasing number of Taiwan business people are investing in Pingtan, with statistics showing that 31 Taiwan enterprises were established in Pingtan in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of 78 percent, accounting for 25 percent of new Taiwan companies in Fujian province. Pingtan is home to 117 Taiwan firms.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman