The first installation of public housing for Taiwan residents working in Pingtan opened to the public on Nov 1. After submitting application forms, a total of 74 Taiwan people have been approved to relocate to low-rent public houses or economically affordable houses constructed by the Pingtan government.

The public housing newly built for Taiwan people working in Pingtan [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Lin Maolin, a liquor vendor at Pingtan-Taiwan Commodity Duty-free Market, currently known as Aoqian Taiwan-style Town, is one such Taiwan resident.

He showed his application form to the reporter excitedly and said, "I have selected a public rental house, the rent, of which, is much cheaper than the market price. Perhaps all of my family would like to move to the city."

An official from Taiwan affairs office of Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone revealed that the government has specially conscripted two residential buildings for the Taiwan compatriots, hoping more of them can work and enjoy their stays in the city.

In addition to public housing for residents of Taiwan, Pingtan has also allocated many other preferential policies in their favor over the past six years. For instance, Taiwan youth working in Pingtan are entitled to apply for employment subsidies and awards. Taiwan vendors who run business in Pingtan for several decades can apply for housing subsidies offered by the government.

These polices appear to be paying dividends.

A total of 118 Taiwan companies have settled in Taiwan Innovation Park since it open last year.

Liu Hanliang, director of Taiwan Xiaomairen Incubator Management Co., told a reporter that the park has seen substantial improvements in regards to catering and leisure. Due to the tremendous support from the local government, more and more Taiwan youth are willing to start businesses in Pingtan.

A bird's-eye view of the Taiwan Innovation Park in Pingtan [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As the only place where Taiwan construction companies can register in South China's Fujian province, there have been 24 Taiwan construction companies recorded in Pingtan since June, 2012.

According to statistics, from January to July of this year, the number of new registered Taiwan companies in Pingtan reached 151.

Pingtan has received more than 30,000 visitors from Taiwan, an increase of 25 percent over the same period last year.

Currently, there are nearly 2,000 Taiwan people living in Pingtan. 300 Taiwan businessmen have purchased properties in the city, and over 200 Taiwan students are currently pursuing education in Pingtan. In an effort to provide more support, Pingtan has taken a number of measures including introducing Taiwan specialized hospitals and initiating the mainland’s first credit reference system for Taiwan compatriots.

Li Zhengxian, a Taiwan entrepreneur, speaks about the Taiwan specialized hospitals established in Pingtan during an interview. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]