News
Business people from Taiwan play active part in development of Hainan province
By Chai Yifei, People’s Daily
More and more business people from China’s Taiwan are seen in Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in south China’s Hainan province as they have been attracted by favorable policies in the free trade port and come to the southern island province to seek opportunities and expand business.
Data showed that business people from Taiwan have registered 302 companies and actually invested more than $300 million in Hainan province since 2018; between 2019 and 2021, volume of trade in goods between Hainan and Taiwan grew by more than 50 percent a year; last year, trade between Hainan and Taiwan surged 81 percent year on year to 1.9 billion yuan (about $292 million).
“Hainan is endowed with abundant natural resources and advantageous geographical location; and the Hainan FTP enjoys full and high-standard opening-up as well as favorable policies that are not available elsewhere,” said Fu Zhiguan, vice president of the All China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots (ACFTC) and president of the Hainan province federation of Taiwan compatriots.
Featuring zero tariffs, low tax rates, and a simple taxation system, policies in the Hainan FTP significantly lower operating costs of companies and provide opportunities for Taiwan compatriots in many aspects, including expanding into global markets, achieving mutual complementarity with related industries, pursuing development of high technologies, as well as introduction of high-end management talents, according to Fu.
“Our international medical center in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone can enjoy franchises including using in bulk drugs and medical equipment that have been launched in the U.S., the European Union, Japan, or other countries and regions but yet to be released onto the market in the Chinese mainland, which is a privilege of Hainan province,” Ling Kaijun, president of Enhance Biomedical Holding Company, told People’s Daily.
In addition to favorable policies for the development of industries, senior management personnel and professionals in the company can also enjoy preferential personal income tax rate, the businesswoman from Taiwan added.
In an effort to promote the construction of the Hainan FTP, Hainan province has also rolled out favorable policies in the agricultural sector. The province has relaxed market access in the seed industry by taking concrete measures including canceling requirements on the area of office space, inspection room, processing plant, storage facility, etc. as well as rigid requirements on inspection room and instrument of seed companies.
Taiwan residents and Taiwan-funded enterprises are allowed to set up or join various forms of farmers’ cooperatives, including farmers’ specialized cooperatives in Hainan. Besides, Taiwan-funded agricultural companies and local ones in Hainan enjoy the same farm machinery subsidies and other preferential policies for farmers.
These measures and policies all help business people from Taiwan participate in agricultural projects and try growing and promoting new varieties of agricultural products in Hainan.
“Taiwan compatriots who have come to invest or start their own businesses in Hainan have not only brought capital but also advanced technologies and managerial experience to the province. In particular, their investments in the agricultural sector have contributed significantly to the fight against poverty and rural vitalization in Hainan,” said an official with the Taiwan affairs office of Hainan province.
Since the beginning of the construction of the Hainan FTP, business people from Taiwan have invested in more and more fields in Hainan; and modern services industry and high-tech industry are becoming key fields for investment from Taiwan, according to the official.
In an effort to better help business people from Taiwan integrate into the development of Hainan and fully enjoy the same treatment as people from the Chinese mainland, Hainan province has introduced measures for promoting economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, also known as “Hainan’s 30 measures to benefit Taiwan compatriots”, and unveiled an action plan for advancing cooperation between Hainan and Taiwan for the construction of the Hainan FTP.
These measures and plans have improved Hainan’s working mechanisms for the introduction of talents and related services, offering broader space for the development of Taiwan people and enterprises.
“Hainan’s 30 measures to benefit Taiwan compatriots” specify that Taiwan-funded companies and people from Taiwan enjoy the same institutional convenience and policies rolled out by the central government and Hainan province on domestic and foreign trade, investment and financing, entry and exit, fiscal and financial support, as well as introduction of talents.
In addition, Taiwan-funded companies operating in Hainan can apply for accreditation of high-tech enterprises, enjoy as Chinese mainland companies provisions on promoting the development of high-tech industry introduced by Hainan province once officially recognized as high-tech enterprises, and be granted special fund and support from relevant policies, according to the 30 measures.
Moreover, the service stations for compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese in the six key industrial parks of the Hainan FTP have also played an important part in attracting Taiwan enterprises, facilitating their growth, and better serving the needs of Taiwan people in Hainan.
“Favorable policies have brought a sense of gain to Taiwan compatriots and provided strong support for their efforts to fulfill their dreams on the mainland,” said Fu.
…Commend NCDC, 20-Year North Central Development Plan
Youth groups have hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for regional development following the establishment of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) and other regional development commissions.
The groups made the commendation in separate statements on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the NCDC in Abuja.
The President of the Nigerian Youth Congress, Jethro Annum, and the NYCN State Chairman of Niger State, Ambassador Abdullahi Muhammed Ishaq, who spoke on behalf of the NYCN North Central Chairmen, described the NCDC as a catalyst for development.
They said the Commission’s 20-year development plan reflects the need for long-term planning and aligns with the broader development vision of President Tinubu for the country.
Similarly, the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Danesi Momoh, and the North Central Youth Mobilization and Sensitization (NOCYMS), led by Hon. Iorwuese Ayo Fidelis, commended the NCDC for convening a broad stakeholders’ engagement aimed at developing a clear and sustainable development direction for the region over the next 20 years.
The engagement, which brought together key stakeholders and voices from across the North Central region, was described as a significant step towards developing a plan that reflects the aspirations, realities and potential of the people.
The youth leaders described the initiative as timely and forward-looking, stressing that young people and students must remain an integral part of conversations about the future of the region.
They noted that the North Central is home to millions of young Nigerians whose energy, skills, ideas and innovation can contribute significantly to the region’s economic and social transformation when provided with the right opportunities.
“Students and young people are not only beneficiaries of development; we are also partners in building the future we desire. Any 20-year development plan for the North Central must therefore give serious attention to education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, technology and youth participation,” they said.
The youth representatives further assured the NCDC of their readiness to work closely with the Commission and other relevant stakeholders to advance initiatives that will create meaningful opportunities for students and young people across the region.
They expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among the Commission, governments, educational institutions, organised youth bodies, traditional institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders could help translate the region’s enormous potential into measurable and sustainable development.
…Commends Commission, Urges Quarterly Engagements
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone C, has called for sustained inclusion of students and young people in the North Central Development Commission’s (NCDC) 20-year development agenda.
The association made the call while commending the NCDC for convening a broad stakeholders’ engagement to shape a long-term development direction for the region.
The Coordinator of NANS Zone C, Comrade Abiola Azeez Babatunde, said students and young people must not be treated merely as beneficiaries of development, but as active partners in shaping the future of the North Central.
According to him, the region’s large youth population represents a significant pool of energy, skills, ideas and innovation that can contribute to economic and social transformation if properly harnessed.
“Students and young people are not only beneficiaries of development; we are also partners in building the future we desire,” he said.
Babatunde said any 20-year development plan for the region should give serious attention to education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, technology and youth participation.
He described the NCDC stakeholders’ engagement as timely and forward-looking, saying it provided an important platform for different interests across the region to contribute to the development conversation.
Also in attendance was Comrade Anzaku Shedrack CNS, Head of Emergency and Disaster Management, NANS, who represented the NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde GCNS.
Shedrack commended the Commission for the initiative and urged it to sustain similar engagements quarterly.
He also assured the NCDC that NANS was pleased with the 20-year development roadmap and would continue to support the Commission in advancing initiatives aimed at developing the region.
NANS Zone C further pledged to work with the Commission and other stakeholders to promote initiatives capable of creating opportunities for students and young Nigerians across the North Central.
The association called for continuous engagement with the student constituency, stressing that their experiences, concerns and ideas should form part of the region’s long-term development agenda.
It expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among the NCDC, governments, educational institutions, organised youth bodies, traditional institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders would help unlock the region’s potential and promote inclusive growth.
Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta.
Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy have called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to stop what it termed public attacks on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, saying political disagreements should be resolved through democratic dialogue and constitutional means.The group made the call in a statement signed by its Secretary, Ifeoma Chukwunyere on Friday, September 18, 2026, amid what it described as increasingly personal exchanges between Wike and Uzodinma over political developments within the All Progressives Congress.The lawyers said the APC Governors’ Forum had rejected what they described as Wike’s “Rainbow Coalition” political arrangement, arguing that the disagreement should be addressed with the forum rather than through personal attacks on Uzodinma.According to the group, the forum’s position was based on concerns that the political arrangement could weaken the APC or create divided loyalty within the party.“We recognise the constitutional right of every Nigerian, including public officials and political actors, to express political opinions, criticise policies and participate in political activities,” the group said.“However, that freedom must not become a licence for personal attacks, intimidation or unnecessary escalation.”The lawyers said Uzodinma, as the governor of Imo State, should be allowed to discharge his responsibilities without political exchanges creating tension capable of affecting the peace and stability of the state.They urged Wike to desist from further public comments concerning the governor, insisting that political disagreements should focus on policies, programmes, political positions and verifiable facts rather than personal exchanges.The group also warned political actors against turning Imo State into a battleground for political supremacy.“Imo State is not a battlefield for political supremacy. Its people have the constitutional right to choose their leaders and determine their political future without undue interference, intimidation or external pressure,” it said.The lawyers further called on political parties, leaders, supporters and media platforms to avoid inflammatory language that could provoke confrontation.They urged Uzodinma to continue to operate within the Constitution and the laws of the country, while allowing relevant political and legal institutions to handle legitimate disagreements.The group also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to encourage restraint among political actors, particularly in relation to the dispute between Wike and Uzodinma.Addressing Wike directly, the lawyers said: “Mr. Minister, Imo State belongs to its people. You are not from Imo, so stay off Imo.”They stressed that disagreements over political strategies, elections, alliances and political actors in the state should be settled through democratic debate and constitutional processes.The group said it would continue to monitor developments affecting constitutional governance, democratic participation, political freedom and peace in Imo State.“Our position is simple: Democracy must prevail. The Constitution must prevail. The rule of law must prevail,” the statement added.
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