Officials from mainland and Taiwan pledge economic and trade cooperation

Officials from the Chinese mainland and representatives from Taiwan have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cross-Strait economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as deepening integrated development. This pledge was made during the closing ceremony of the four-day Tianjin-Taiwan Investment and Trade Fair, held in Tianjin. Since its inception in 2008, the fair has successfully facilitated over 350 projects, attracting intended investments totaling approximately 123.8 billion yuan ($17.2 billion). This year, 32 new projects with Taiwanese investment were established in Tianjin, with a total contractual investment of $31.78 million (230 million yuan), underscoring the robust vitality and vast potential of Tianjin-Taiwan economic and trade cooperation. Themed ‘Integrating for New Development, Creating a Shared Future,’ this year’s event focused on exploring cooperation in sectors such as medical and health care, the yacht economy, and catering and processing. Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, emphasized the principle that the two sides of the Strait are one family, actively promoting cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation. Zhang Gong, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China Tianjin Municipal Committee and mayor of Tianjin, extended a warm welcome to young people from Taiwan to pursue their dreams in the city. Before the opening ceremony, Song met with Hsiao Hsu-tsen, vice-chairman-designate of the Chinese Kuomintang party, and his delegation in Tianjin. Hsiao praised Tianjin for its unique charm, profound historical and cultural heritage, and spirit of inclusiveness, openness, and innovation. He encouraged young people from Taiwan to visit the Chinese mainland more often, emphasizing that the future of the Chinese nation depends on the cooperation and shared prosperity of the youth on both sides of the Strait.