🎉 In the spirit of the upcoming Spring Festival, the Chinese mainland's top Taiwan affairs official, Song Tao, brought festive cheer to Taiwan businesspeople and compatriots during his visits to Shenzhen and Xiamen this week.
From Tuesday to Thursday, Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, connected with nearly 400 Taiwan businesspeople and compatriots at cross-Straits exchange events in the tech hub of Shenzhen and the coastal city of Xiamen.
He listened attentively to their stories, learned about their business ventures, and gathered their insights and suggestions. Song emphasized the mainland's commitment to enhancing policies that promote economic and cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, fostering deeper integration and mutual prosperity. 🤝
\"People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share values of peace, harmony, and the pursuit of a better life,\" Song noted. \"These shared aspirations are the foundation of our cross-Straits relations.\"
He encouraged Taiwan compatriots to uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, oppose any movements toward \"Taiwan secession\" or external interference, and collaborate to expand exchanges and cooperation. Together, they can promote peaceful development and achieve integrated progress. 🌟
Attendees like Wu Chia-ying, executive vice president of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the mainland, felt inspired. \"The warm atmosphere of the Spring Festival brings a sense of comfort,\" Wu said. \"The mainland's support gives Taiwan businesses greater confidence to continue investing and supporting cross-Straits integrated development.\" 💪
Regions like Fujian Province, designated as a demonstration zone for cross-Straits integrated development, are bustling with activity. Last year, Fujian saw 920,000 trips by Taiwan compatriots, with voyages between its coastal areas and Kinmen and Mazu increasing significantly. 🌊
Looking ahead to 2024, Song highlighted the mainland's achievements in economic and social development, offering new opportunities for Taiwan compatriots and businesses to deepen their engagement. 📈
Guangdong Province, especially Shenzhen, continues to be a hotspot for Taiwan entrepreneurs. Jeff Chen, president of the Dongguan Taiwan Business Association, noted that while many Taiwan businesses were traditionally in manufacturing, they're now venturing into services, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence. \"We're keeping pace with the times,\" Chen said. 🚀
For veterans like Hsu Fu-hsien, who has lived in Shenzhen for 35 years and manages a manufacturing company, the journey has been rewarding. \"I benefited greatly from the reform and opening up in the 1990s,\" Hsu shared. \"Now, we're investing more in automation and innovation.\" 🔧✨
As the Year of the Rabbit approaches, the spirit of unity and collaboration across the Taiwan Strait shines brighter than ever. 🐇🎊
Reference(s):
Mainland official visits Taiwan compatriots ahead of Spring Festival
cgtn.com
