The Xiamen International Convention and Exhibition Center will be the main venue of the Second Straits Forum. Hu Meidong / China Daily
The central government's policies to promote cross-Straits trade and investment ties over the past year include measures to accelerate development of the Wes Coast Economic Zone.
The Ministry of Communications issued nine new regulations on cross-Straits direct shipping in May last year that designated ports and outlined mutual tax exemption, registration of ships and maritime security.
The State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office Director Wang Yi then announced several new measures to benefit Taiwan:
Furthering mainland investment in Taiwan
Expanding the procurement of products from Taiwan
Supporting qualified Taiwan enterprises to operate in the mainland market and participate in major construction projects
Encouraging mainland residents to travel in Taiwan
Strengthening agricultural cooperation
Allowing Taiwanese lawyers to open branches in Fuzhou and Xiamen to handle Taiwan-related legal services.
The Ministry of Commerce and the Taiwan Affairs Office also announced new measures to specify the procedures for mainland enterprises to invest in Taiwan.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine then announced 20 measures to accelerate the construction of Western Coast Economic Zone and to facilitate economic and trade exchanges between Fujian and Taiwan.
