More efforts needed

Gong Qinggai, director of the administration committee of the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Area, said the government invested 100 billion yuan from 2010 to 2012 to improve the region's infrastructure.

It will invest another 50 billion yuan this year for infrastructure work, including road and bridge construction, Gong said.

Another sea route between the mainland and Taiwan will be opened this year, with the destination being Taipei, the island's political center, he added.

Gong said the local government is encouraging the development of seven industries, including the high-

technology, service, tourism and marine sectors.

It had attracted 93 Taiwan companies to invest in Pingtan as of late January to the tune of $186 million, according to the county government.

But for Xiao, the food stand owner, the government's efforts are not so tangible.

"I dare not go to far-away places because there are few buses here, and the buses are always delayed for unknown reasons," he said.

He used to be charged 8 yuan by the driver of a local "black taxi" - an unlicensed motorcycle taxi - but later learned from his wife the fare should have been 5 yuan at the most.

"If you talk to the taxi driver in a local accent, you will be charged a fair price, otherwise you will be charged more," he said.

He had planned to buy an electric bicycle, but abandoned the idea because he is unclear about local traffic rules.

Feng Ting-kuo, a politician with Taiwan's People First Party, said mainland authorities should provide better social services to attract Taiwan investors.

"I have been to Pingtan seven times, but I couldn't watch any Taiwan TV programs here," he said during a cross-Straits symposium in Pingtan on Friday.

"We vowed to jointly build a home for both mainland and Taiwan people, so tell me why I can't receive my hometown's TV programs when I am at this home?" he said.

Insufficient social services will deter Taiwan people from investing or living on the mainland, he said.

Gong, the local official, said the government will continue to improve the investment environment and make life more convenient for investors.

Yan Anlin, a researcher at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said economic relations have become the most active area of cross-Straits ties, while there is still insufficient political dialogue.

"The political issue has impeded further cross-Straits communication," he said. "Political dialogue should be started as soon as possible."

But Xiao said he knows nothing about politics and only wants to see more people coming to eat at his food stand.

He said cross-Straits ties have been continuously boosted in recent years, and he is sure they will improve.

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/03/2013 page4)

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