Established in 2009, the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (PCPZ) has been tasked with economic reforms and cross-Straits cooperation. Authorities in Pingtan have tried their best to attract Taiwan companies and make Pingtan a “Common Homeland” for people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. Their efforts have paid off, and a number of Taiwan officials and entrepreneurs have spoken highly of the dynamic economic zone in eastern Fujian province.

The followings are some of their quotes on Pingtan.

Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the Third Wednesday Club (the largest social enterprise coalition in Taiwan):

“I went to Pingtan in April and noticed its significant changes. I think Pingtan as an experimental and free trade zone is a prospective place for Taiwan enterprises under pressure to upgrade. That said, Taiwan businessmen will have to come to Pingtan to see for themselves, while Pingtan can enhance its promotions in Taiwan. I believe when the overall environment changes, a more livable Pingtan will appeal to more people.”

Lin Join-sane, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation:

“Pingtan is a finished nest waiting for a “Phoenix”. It is part of the Belt and Road initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. There are enormous business opportunities in Pingtan’s shipping and logistics industries , which Taiwan companies can take advantage of.”

Michael Chiang, chairman and founder of TPK Holding Co Ltd:

“People used to keep me away from coming to Pingtan, saying it is a bare land. But now, we’ve seen the local governments’ ambition and determination for full-scale development. Pingtan is my first choice of investment and serves as a perfect springboard for the expansion of our business in the Chinese mainland. We’ve received full support from the local government.”

Gao Yunding, president of Kodak Group Co:

“Pingtan is close to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and Southeast Asia, and offers preferential policies for investors. These are the main reason why we choose to come to Pingtan. In the next stage we will develop international trade, including processing, sales and high-end material and establish a settlement center in Pingtan. We expect to enhance our company’s competitiveness in the international market.”

Liu Pingshan, president of the Zhongfu Haixia Co Ltd:

“Our company is the first listed company based in Pingtan, and among the first companies to obtain business licenses at the Pingtan Free Trade Pilot Zone. Our goal is to make Pingtan a cross-Straits tourism hub in three years, when there will be at least one million tourists to Pingtan.”

Chen Cuijuan, self-employed

“I’ve been in Pingtan for more than three years. It is like my second home now. I’ve witnessed a lot of achievements by Pingtan over the past year. It is definitely a hot spot for Taiwan investors following the ‘Pingtan Closure’, the establishment of the Pingtan Free Trade Zone and the cross-border e-commerce pilot city.”

Xue Qingde, vice chairman of the association of Taiwan entrepreneurs in Pingtan

“When I first came to Pingtan several years ago, there were only a handful of Taiwan people here. Now the number exceeds 1,000, and about 300 of them have bought properties. The number of Taiwan-funded companies in Pingtan has grown from 5 to 270, accounting for about 80 percent of overseas-funded companies in Pingtan.”

“The focus of my business was pushing for consolidation of cross-Straits healthcare systems and facilitating the education of Taiwan children in Pingtan. Now I pay more attention to the health industry by using Taiwan’s advanced technology.”

“We hope to bring Taiwan’s famous physicians, pharmacists, nutritionists and therapists to the mainland to share their experience. Pingtan can learn from Taiwan’s technology in the health plan for seniors.”