An inter-ministerial conference on the construction of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone drew delegates from 14 ministries and the Fujian government to Beijing, on Thursday, Fujian Daily has reported.

This high-level conference on Pingtan had State Council backing back in March when it was proposed as a way to boost the development of the mainland's first economic pilot zone open to Taiwan.

Presiding over the meeting was Du Ying, the deputy-head of the National Development and Reform Commission, who asked the ministries to feel a sense of responsibility and recognize the urgency of this project and come up with more polices to give the zone a sound investment environment.

Fujian's governor, Su Shulin, thanked the central government for its support and praised the conference as a "powerful force to push Pingtan's opening up and development".

Pingtan has indeed had some success with its move to provide homeland for cross-Straits compatriots in recent three years and plans to increase its infrastructure construction to contribute more to cross-Straits peace and communication, Su added.

Ministry delegates said they will play a better role in designing policies that support Pingtan's development.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Roger Bradshaw