A total of 15 departments from the central government offer preferential policies to support Pingtan's development.

Li Dejin, director of the PCPZ's administrative committee, reviewed the government's economic performance and outlined a general plan for 2014 at a meeting in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (PCPZ) in eastern Fujian province on Dec 31.

Li summarized Pingtan's achievements in 2013, including:

A total of 15 departments from the central government offered preferential policies to support Pingtan's development, and the island county's legal development also made progress, with guidance concerning customs supervision measures.

The authorities have also made progress in the construction of infrastructure, including the auxiliary bridge of Haixia Bridge which is expected to be completed in the near future, and construction of a rail-road bridge, in addition to the formation of an integrated traffic network.

The authorities have also established an executive administrative mechanism to manage assignments from different government departments.

Pingtan has also made breakthroughs concerning reforms in two sectors. After the two customs checkpoints were set up, the "Pingtan Closure" was realized and an integrated customs supervision system was formed. And Pingtan also became the first pilot zone for a new business registration system that was about to be promoted across the Fujian province.

Cross-Straits relations have also improved. The Haixia high-speed passenger ferry opened new marine routes to Taipei and has transferred more than 200,000 people in the last two years. In addition, a total of 134 Taiwan-funded enterprises located in Pingtan in 2013.

Pingtan authorities also focused on social welfare with various projects, and reformed pensions and health benefits.

You Mengjun, deputy director of the PCPZ's administrative committee, urged government agencies to make specific plans for 2014 and also called for an emphasis on production safety and social stability.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman