The airport in China's Fujian Province has recently seen a steady stream of passengers arriving from Taiwan. The province lies directly across the Taiwan Strait.
A group of visitors flew to the airport in October, for the local government's first-ever agricultural exchange event of its kind. It attracted more than 200 Taiwanese working in the sector. Provincial officials highlighted the historic achievement of inviting the Taiwanese farmers.
In September, the Chinese government announced that it designated Fujian Province as a model area for integration with Taiwan, and will enhance the region's business environment to attract Taiwanese companies. The province is now promoting policies which give preferential treatment to Taiwanese immigrants.
In addition to exchange events, the Fujian government opened a service center to offer advice on relocating from Taiwan, and the necessary procedures to settle in the province.
New business opportunities
An increasing number of Taiwanese are launching businesses in Fujian Province, with the local government's support.
Chen Yun-jia is a Taiwanese entrepreneur who recently started growing tea and managing a guest house in the province. Chen was able to obtain a loan from a local bank for construction and other set-up costs, at less than half the usual interest rate.
"Over the past few years, I feel the mainland is placing priority on policies that give preferential treatment to Taiwanese," Chen said.
The Fujian government says it has attracted more than 600 Taiwanese farmers to the area, with subsidies so far totaling around 7 million dollars.
Taiwanese authorities have expressed concern about how such attempts by China to integrate Taiwan through economic policies could influence the upcoming election.
