Taiwan businessmen promote their products to customers at the cross-Strait integrated development exhibition area of the Cross-Strait Fair for Economy and Trade in Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo by Yuan Hao/Fuzhou Daily]

Many Taiwan residents and enterprises in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, recently held discussions about a new circular regarding Fujian province being turned in demonstration zone for the integrated development across the Taiwan Strait which was released on Sept 12.

According to the circular, authorities will take steps to integrate the development of the cultural tourism and marine fishery industries in Fuzhou and Matsu, an archipelago in Taiwan. Efforts will also be made to deepen industrial cooperation between the two sides and help agriculture, fisheries and small and medium-sized enterprises from Taiwan better develop in Fujian.

Ma Yen-pin, president of the Yango University Cross-Strait Integrated Development Research Institute, said that the level and scope of cross-Strait exchanges can be further enhanced.

"Given the current complex external factors faced, the release of the circular is bound to attract more Taiwan compatriots to come to Fuzhou to start business," said Hsia Ching-yun, a professor of labor economics at Renmin University of China.

Lin Chun-ying, a Taiwan entrepreneur, said the circular has given her hope that there will be a broader and more stable development space in the coming years.