Shenzhen：99 preferential policies applicable to Taiwan-funded enterprises

The 99 policies covering 18 categories promulgated in Shenzhen are now equally applicable to Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan-funded enterprises, according to a news conference held on July 24 in Shenzhen.

The city also unveiled a collection of policies on the 31 preferential policies for Taiwan which were released by Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council in February for the benefit of Taiwan people.

Ai Xuefeng, deputy mayor of Shenzhen, said that the city's special financial fund has reached 25.73 billion yuan ($3.8 billion), and there are a total of 54 special categories of over 200 funding areas for application. Any Taiwan compatriot or Taiwan-funded enterprise eligible for the fund can apply for it.

During the conference, Ai also introduced the progresses made in Shenzhen-Taiwan cooperation. For more than 30 years, the two sides have cherished close economic and trade exchanges and people-to-people connections. So far, Shenzhen has introduced 6,138 Taiwan-funded enterprises with agreed capital of $12.26 billion. In recent years, the total number of Taiwan residents arriving in or leaving from Shenzhen is about 2.3 million per year, accounting for nearly one quarter of that entering and exiting the mainland.

Ai noted that the 31 preferential policies have been well implemented in the current policies of Shenzhen, delivering tangible benefits to many Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan-funded enterprises.

He also emphasized that Shenzhen should be in the nation's leading position in implementing the 31 preferential policies. And the next step for Shenzhen is to step up publicity to educate more Taiwan compatriots or Taiwan-funded enterprises about the value of Shenzhen policies.