Chinese President Hu Jintao said Saturday that better aid and services will be provided for Taiwan compatriots to do business in the mainland.

Hu made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of Taiwan businessmen in Xiamen, Fujian Province.

 

Hu Jintao said the mainland welcomes more Taiwan people to do business, adding that the businesses cooperation between the mainland and Taiwan benefits the people across the Taiwan Straits.

 

Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, praised the development of the Haicang Taiwan Businessmen-Investment Zone in which 69 Taiwan companies have made considerable investment mainly in electronic, petrochemical and mechanical fields.

 

The achievements of the Taiwan entrepreneurs in the zone showed that they could receive better economic rewards and their businesses could benefit economies on both sides, Hu said.

 

Direct shipping and flight, mail and trade links across the Straits will promote economic ties between the two sides, said Hu, hoping that civilian organizations on both sides could help realize the objective on an earlier date.

 

Hu conveyed Spring Festival greetings to Taiwan entrepreneurs in the mainland.

 

Representatives of Taiwan businessmen also expressed their willingness to increase investment in the mainland and their longing for direct shipping and flight, mail and trade links across the Straits.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2006)