Mainland's vast market offers broad opportunities for trade collaboration

Close and resilient industrial chains across the Taiwan Strait not only benefit businesses and people on both sides of the Strait, but also help safeguard the stability and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains, a Chinese mainland spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

At a regular news conference, Zhang Han, a spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the mainland has the world's most comprehensive industrial system and a well-established network of supporting industries, making it an ideal destination for Taiwan-funded manufacturing enterprises seeking investment and development opportunities.

She made the remarks in response to a recent trend among Taiwan enterprises of shifting production capacity back to the mainland.

According to Nikkei Asia, Taiwan-based computer makers ASUS and Acer are relocating some of their laptop and personal computer production from Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand and Vietnam, to the mainland.

Zhang said that with the rollout of the mainland's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), the coordinated advancement of high-standard opening-up and deeper reform would unleash stronger growth momentum and provide solid support for Taiwan-funded enterprises to achieve better development amid industrial restructuring.

"We will support Taiwan businesses and enterprises in seizing development opportunities on the mainland, participating in its high-quality economic development and achieving faster and better growth of their own," she said.

More than 30 enterprises from the Taiwan region participated in this year's China International Import Expo, which opened on Nov 5 and concluded on Tuesday. In recent months, the mainland has also resumed imports of agricultural and fishery products from Taiwan.

Zhang underscored that the mainland's vast market offers broad opportunities for cooperation between agricultural and fishery businesses on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

"The Democratic Progressive Party authorities should address the concerns of the island's agricultural and fishery sectors, stop political manipulation and take concrete steps to serve the public interest," she said.

With Wednesday marking the annual "Double 11" shopping festival, Zhang said the cross-Strait shopping boom over the years reflects the close economic and trade ties between the two sides, as well as the shared lifestyles of people on both sides.

Mainland e-commerce platforms provide Taiwan residents with a safe and convenient online shopping environment, offering a wide range of quality products in ample supply, she said, adding that Taiwan residents can benefit from a diverse selection of goods and well-established logistics and delivery services.

Contact the writers at lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn