View of the booth of Taiwan-based Hiwin Technologies at the eighth China International Import Expo in Shanghai on November 7, 2025. Photo: Ma Jingjing/GT

The eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), which is in full swing in East China's Shanghai, has attracted the active participation of enterprises from the island of Taiwan. A manager of a Taiwan-based company told the Global Times that the "CIIE brings genuine opportunities," while vowing to expand investment in the Chinese mainland thanks to favorable policies and sincere help.

On Friday, the booth of Johnson Health Tech, a Taiwan-based enterprise engaged in the manufacturing and sale of exercise equipment, was crowded with visitors trying out various kinds of exercise equipment at a spacious exhibition area.

"As we participate in the CIIE for the fourth time this year, we have expanded our exhibition area to 600 square meters, the largest in our participation of the CIIE," Wang Yang, deputy general manager of Johnson Health Tech (Shanghai) Co Ltd, told the Global Times at the CIIE, noting that Johnson Health Tech has decided to take part in the CIIE next year with a larger exhibition area.

"The expo has brought genuine benefits and opportunities," Wang said, highlighting gains in multiple aspects including brand exposure, product exhibition and interactions with consumers. Since the first attendance of the expo, the company has achieved intended contract worth 1.8 billion yuan ($253 million), according to the company.

A total of 23 Taiwan enterprises are participating in this year's CIIE. Their businesses cover industries ranging from food, technical equipment, and consumer goods to medical devices and healthcare, to service trade, Zhang Han, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press conference on Wednesday.

"We welcome individuals from all walks of life on both sides of the Taiwan Straits to visit Shanghai for the CIIE and explore business cooperation opportunities," Zhang said.

At the expo, Taiwan-based Hiwin Technologies, a leading manufacturer of motion control and system technology, showcased a wide range of products and technologies including industrial robots and joint technology, motor, and positioning stages.

The accelerated development of new quality productive forces creates new opportunities for Hiwin, as various new and emerging industries like semiconductor, PV and biotech require precision parts, a manager of Hiwin Technologies (China) Corp told the Global Times at the booth. He said that he believes the company's revenue in the mainland will continue to grow in the future.

The implementation of the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan will undoubtedly provide more development opportunities for people and businesses from Taiwan, Zhang said at Wednesday's press conference.

The mainland's economy enjoys a solid foundation with multiple strengths, strong resilience and vast potential, as its advantages of a super-sized market, a complete industrial system and a rich talent pool become increasingly prominent, Zhang said, stressing that the mainland encourages and supports more Taiwan compatriots to participate in the mainland's economic and social development, enabling them to share in the opportunities and achievements of Chinese modernization.

Zhou Zhihan, special assistant to director of Taiwan-based Morita Biotech Co Ltd, has studied and worked in the mainland for about 15 years. He told the Global Times on Friday at the CIIE that the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan charts a clear blueprint and injects fresh confidence for Taiwan-based companies.

"Our revenue in the mainland has posted steady growth since entering the market about 20 years ago, which now accounts for around 30 percent of our group's total revenue," Zhou said. "Thanks to the platform of the CIIE, we've developed relations with clients from Belt and Road partner countries, which further enlarged our business scope," he said.

As a Taiwan-based company in the mainland, we are grateful for the favorable policies the central government has granted us, Zhou said, noting that Chinese government agencies generally make swift responses to their enquiries about policies or regulations.

Total trade between the mainland and Taiwan reached $292.97 billion in 2024, with mainland exports to Taiwan increasing by 9.8 percent and imports from Taiwan rising by 9.3 percent, highlighting steady progress in economic exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, the Xinhua News Agency reported, citing official data.

Investment activity also remained resilient. The Ministry of Commerce reported the establishment of 7,941 new Taiwan-funded enterprises in the mainland in 2024, reflecting a 1.6 percent year-on-year increase.

As part of the measures to expand high-level opening-up for high-quality development, from November 20, the number of mainland ports authorized to issue single-entry travel permits upon arrival for Taiwan residents will increase to 100, according to the National Immigration Administration.

"The mainland market is massive, with abundant opportunities. I hope that enterprises and young people from the island of Taiwan can come to the mainland and experience the economic vitality here," Zhou said.

"No matter what subjects a college student majors in, you will have the opportunity to build a career in any industry in the mainland and create your own opportunity," he added.