Taiwan enterprises enthused by mainland's development

Entrepreneurs from both sides of the Taiwan Strait voiced a shared commitment to advancing industrial integration and mutual prosperity, expressing strong confidence in the mainland's future development at the 2025 Cross-Strait CEO Summit held in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Speaking at the annual conference, Guo Jinlong, the mainland chairman of the summit, said proposals for the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) outline a development blueprint and present a range of opportunities for entrepreneurs on both sides of the Strait.

Guo said the mainland has long been a major contributor to the global economy and that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period the focus will be on high-quality development, deeper reform and expanding high-level opening-up.

"A complete industrial chain system will strengthen the foundation for development, a vast market will unleash tremendous momentum, and new quality productive forces will create diverse opportunities, injecting strong impetus into complementary advantages and integrated development across the Strait," he said.

"No matter how the external environment changes, we must hold hands instead of letting go, seek to extend the chain rather than break it. The higher the waves, the more we need to work together in the same boat," Guo added.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference on Wednesday that the annual conference featured in-depth discussions on how Taiwan businesses can seize opportunities arising from the formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, accelerate integration into the new development pattern, participate in high-quality development, and deepen cross-Strait industrial and supply chain integration.

Participating entrepreneurs from Taiwan expressed full confidence in the mainland's development and pledged to continue actively engaging in cross-Strait economic exchanges and cooperation, Zhu said.

Wah Chin, vice-president of Suyin KGI Consumer Finance, said the firm chose to expand on the mainland because of its market potential.

"From 2017 to 2019, with strong support from the Cross-Strait CEO Summit, we successfully obtained a consumer finance license," he said. "The mainland market has vast prospects. We have tripled our investment and will continue to do so in the future."

"As a consumer finance company, we see the national policy direction of vigorously promoting consumption and supporting the market, which provides excellent development opportunities," Wah said. "As a financial enterprise, we also look forward to more openness and cooperation in the cross-Strait financial sector."

Wah said he has attended the summit for more than a decade, gaining new insights and opportunities each time through exchanges and interactions. Enterprises from Taiwan, he said, can serve as an important bridge for cross-Strait exchanges.

Poon Chung-kwong, chairman of Nanjing Lumicore Technology Co, urged young people in Taiwan to seize the vast market opportunities on the mainland by exploring new prospects that combine hardware manufacturing with application scenarios.

His company has been deeply involved in the display panel industry for 35 years and has developed world-leading silicon-based OLED display panels by integrating Taiwan's hardware expertise with advanced mainland algorithms.

"Young people in Taiwan must come to the mainland to see for themselves, rather than stubbornly starting businesses locally in Taiwan," he said. "Starting a business there is very difficult. Taiwan is almost a stagnant market.

"Coming to the mainland allows us to create new products, services and markets together," Poon said, adding that the silicon-based OLED screens industry can succeed only through cross-Strait cooperation.

Lei Hong-yi, director-general of the Council for Industrial and Commercial Development, said he hopes for peace across the Strait.

"Less argument, fewer disputes, more money for everyone and more spending — isn't that great?" he said.

The Cross-Strait CEO Summit originated in Nanjing. Over the past year, it has played a pivotal role by participating in and supporting more than 50 large-scale cross-Strait economic, cultural and youth exchange activities in 15 provinces, regions and cities.