A delegation of 36 college students from Taiwan visited the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone late last month and suggested they could in future begin their careers there.

Students from Taiwan, Macao and Hong Kong jump for joy at Tannan Bay, a tourist destination in Pingtan, Fujian province, Aug 28. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

“Our purpose is to gain some development experience from Pingtan, which has been undergoing development for several years. Plus, Pingtan and Taiwan share a very close relationship,” said team leader Ye Zhaofeng.

Only 68 nautical miles from Hinschu county, Pingtan is the Chinese mainland’s sole pilot zone open to Taiwan.

To increase cross-Straits communication and cooperation, Chinese central authorities have rolled out preferential policies, such as corporate income tax breaks and free office space for entrepreneurs from Taiwan.

The students inspected a number of places and projects such as a customs checkpoint, Tannan Bay, a passenger terminal at Aoqian Port, the Taiwan Commodity Market and the Pingtan County Planning Museum.

Many delegates expressed a common wish to work in Pingtan one day.

“I didn’t know Pingtan is so close to Taiwan before I came here. Now I’ve seen there are so many favorable policies for Taiwan entrepreneurs. I’ll definitely give thought to starting my career here,” said Li Jiawei, a junior student from Kainan University.

Majoring in the import and export trade, Li said she had got a better understanding of Pingtan’s investment climate, and hoped there will be more incentives for college graduates.

Li Jiarong from Macao echoed her sentiment, saying the students were impressed and admired policies for people from Taiwan, and he hoped to explore opportunities in Pingtan after graduation.

He added that Pingtan is a cool place for tourism, and should pay attention to the preservation of natural landscapes.

Zhang Jiancheng from Hong Kong praised Pingtan’s urban planning, and voiced his intention of working in Pingtan if there are more favorable policies such as seed funding and interest-free loans for college graduates.

Pingtan and Taiwan can enhance academic communication between students, such as partnering each other’s schools. Pingtan enterprises should actively promote themselves in Taiwan, which would entice many of Taiwan’s young people with favorable policies and competitive salary, said Chen Jianzhi, a junior college student.