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Cross-Straits FTZ co-op a hot topic at symposium

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2014-04-23

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The idea of cooperation between free trade zones (FTZ) from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan has become the hottest topic at a cross-Straits economic forum in Xiamen on April 12.

Experts and entrepreneurs shared their opinions on how to integrate industries from the two sides in a possible joint FTZ program at the forum, staged during the 18th China Xiamen Machinery and Electronics Exhibition.

FTZ is a program coveted by many areas, after Shanghai became the first one on the Chinese mainland last year. Fuzhou, Xiamen and Pingtan in Fujian province all have submitted an FTZ construction plan to the central government earlier this year.

Taiwan is also actively pushing for an FTZ as it mapped out a plan for the first-phase construction of a free economy demonstration zone last August.

Those at the forum all agreed that the mainland and Taiwan must find a common point in economic and trade collaborations and connect their FTZs.

The mainland and Taiwan have similar FTZ development ideas as they both try to launch a pilot program in limited areas where they can gradually loosen regulations, make innovations, expand economic liberalization and accelerate industrial transformation, which will ultimately achieve the goal of economic globalization, said Zhan Huosheng, president of the Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation.

Many experts highlighted Fujian’s advantage in spearheading the cross-Straits FTZ cooperation.

Xiamen city in Fujian is among the mainland’s first four special economic zones (SEZ) and is the closest to Taiwan for industrial integration. Xiamen’s economic growth since the opening and reform policy of the 1980s is extraordinary, said Xiao Jincheng, dean of the Institute of Spatial Planning & Regional Economy under the National Development and Reform Commission.

Zhang Guangping, head of the Taiwan-based Topology Research Institute, proposed that Fujian and Taiwan should seek to integrate in opto-electronics and modern agriculture.

Fujian should highlight its cross-Straits industrial connection in pushing for a joint FTZ formed by Xiamen, Fuzhou and Pingtan, said Li Fei, a researcher from Xiamen University. His sentiment was echoed by Zhang Qi, an economic pundit at the Development Research Center of the State Council.

Zhang added that Fujian should seek innovations in FTZ tasks and specific actions, and make a case for FTZ by rolling out real benefits for entrepreneurs and people through the program and boost their confidence.