The Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone (PCPZ) in Fujian province is sparing no efforts in boosting cross-Straits cooperation, Fujian Daily reported on April 9.

Since its establishment in 2010 as the Chinese mainland’s first pilot zone opening up to Taiwan, Pingtan has spent up to 150 billion yuan ($24 billion) on improving its infrastructure in a bid to land more enterprises and investment from Taiwan.

To enhance transportation and increase cross-Straits communication, Pingtan launched Haixia, a high-speed passenger ferry that sails on two routes to Taipei and Taichung. At the same time, Pingtan reformed its administrative management system to create an environment for investment, the newspaper said.

According to a development blueprint, Pingtan focuses on the high-tech industry, modern service sector, marine industry, tourism, education and cultural creation to form a green, smart and high-end industrial system that links closely to Taiwan.

In addition, Pingtan has rolled out favorable polices for enterprises from Taiwan. And that move has helped lure more than 150 Taiwan companies to settle in the region. In contrast, there were only three before the establishment of PCPZ.

The Pingtan branch of TPK Holdings, which is the world’s largest touch panel maker, is an example of the coming-to-Pingtan trend. With an investment of about 3 billion yuan, TPK roared into Pingtan in 2013, and its trial operation is about to kick off in May.

Pingtan also appealed to many of Taiwan’s merchants and college graduates to start up multiple business platforms, including a commodity trade market, a fair for Taiwan’s farming products and tech innovators.

Pingtan also saw growing communications with Taiwan in a variety of fields. Since last year, it set up associations for Taiwan businessmen, young entrepreneurs seeking startups and employees for cooperation. It also held cultural activities such as a sand sculpture festival and cross-Straits marathons to attract Taiwan people to Pingtan.