Cross-Straits trade relations point to a prosperous future

• Source: Global Times
• [21:17 August 16 2009]
• Comments

Editor’s Note:

Relations across the Taiwan Straits have been looking up since 2008 and trading links between the two sides have grown stronger during the financial crisis. It is against this backdrop that the “2009 Taiwan Trade Fair in Nanjing” will be held from September 17 to 20, the first large fair to be jointly held by the mainland and Taiwan. Following is a recent exclusive interview between People’s Daily Online (PD) and Chen Gang (Chen), deputy mayor of Nanjing, who is also in charge of this event. This interview was compiled by Global Times reporter Shi Pengyun.

PD: Nanjing is not the only city that has direct flights to or frequent economic and trade exchanges with Taiwan. Why was it picked for this event?

Chen: I think they picked Nanjing for a couple of reasons. For one thing, Jiangsu is a relatively more developed region. The purpose of any exhibition or fair is to bring about deals. Hence market prospects are important.

So when they chose the site, they had to consider the level of development in this region and people’s purchasing power. Besides, Nanjing also has great influence on its neighboring cities.

Second, businessmen from Taiwan invest mostly in two regions in the mainland, Guangdong and the Yangtze River Delta region, which includes Jiangsu. Taiwan also has substantial investments in Nanjing. An exhibition should be held in an area that’s familiar with products from Taiwan and is also known to the Taiwanese.

The third reason is historical. Dr. Sun Yat-sen was buried in Nanjing. Many among Taiwan’s KMT have sentimental feelings toward Nanjing and are willing to come, not only for trade, but for the city itself.

PD: It’s been more than 20 years since the first Taiwan-funded enterprise came to Nanjing. During this period of time, what has been the focus of the exchanges between Nanjing and Taiwan, and what has been learnt?

Chen: From the first Taiwan investment in Nanjing in 1988 till the end of this June, we approved over 2,600 such projects, with a total investment of over $6.3 billion. Over 3,000 Taiwanese live in Nanjing.

Our exchanges with the other side of the Straits have been developing rapidly. Over the last two decades, we have organized over 460 group trips to Taiwan and over 2 million Taiwanese man-hours have been spent in Nanjing. Currently there are around 1,200 enterprises with Taiwanese investment in the city. It’s relatively easier for them to come because of those projects. Now there are around 1,200 Taiwan-invested enterprises operating in Nanjing.

PD: You mentioned that Nanjing is an important part of the history of the cross-Straits relations. How will that history help the trade between Nanjing and Taiwan, and this fair in particular?

Chen: Since the KMT took power in Taiwan last year, relations have changed a great deal, and Nanjing is playing a more and more important role.

Mr. Chiang Pin-Kung, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation in Taiwan, was the first one who embarked upon an “ice-breaking tour” and among the earliest to visit the Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yet-sen, and others followed. Since last year, we’ve held the “Taipei Culture and Arts Festival” in Nanjing and brought “Nanjing Culture Week” to Taipei.

Economic and trade exchanges are even more frequent: visiting groups, investment and inspection groups, an innovation zone for Taiwan farmers and some larger projects. In terms of tourism, Nanjing is among the first cities to establish direct flights to Taiwan.