Taiwanese businessmen target development opportunities in southern Sichuan and sign 8 industrial cooperation projects
On October 15-16, the Sichuan-Taiwan Industry Cooperation Development Exchange Conference took place in Luzhou, Sichuan Province. This event attracted over a hundred guests from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, who gathered to explore development opportunities in Southern Sichuan and facilitated the signing of several industrial cooperation projects.
During the conference, Luzhou established the Luzhou Taiwanese Investment Enterprises Association, marking a significant milestone in connecting Taiwanese investment in the region. This event also welcomed members from the National Association of Taiwanese Investors and representatives from various Taiwanese business associations from cities such as Chengdu, Xiamen, Suzhou, Zhongshan, and Zibo.
Liu Xiaocheng, Director of the Sichuan Taiwan Affairs Office, reflected on the history of Taiwanese investment in Luzhou, stating, “Since the first Taiwanese enterprise settled here in 1988, the region has seen a growing number of Taiwanese businesses. The establishment of the first Sichuan-Taiwan rural revitalization cooperation experimental park highlights this growth.” He added that the formation of the Luzhou Taiwanese Association marks a new phase for Taiwanese investment in the city, which will actively support the development of enterprises in Luzhou and Southern Sichuan.
Deputy Mayor of Luzhou, Yu Xianhe, highlighted the strategic opportunities presented by major initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Yangtze River Economic Belt. He expressed confidence that this exchange conference would accelerate economic cooperation between Sichuan and Taiwan, channeling new momentum for Luzhou’s development as a regional center.
Xu Jianzhe, President of the Luzhou Taiwanese Association and leader in the edible mushroom industry, shared, “After ten years of development in Sichuan, our investments have expanded from Chengdu to Luzhou, reaching both urban and rural areas. The establishment of the Luzhou Taiwanese Association is what many Taiwanese business owners have hoped for. The region’s advanced transportation and favorable environment make it ideal for agricultural and cultural tourism industries.”
Following a tour of Luzhou Port, Li Zhenghong, President of the National Association of Taiwanese Investors, emphasized the geographic advantages of Luzhou. “Located in Southern Sichuan, Luzhou connects Yunnan, Chongqing, and Guizhou, and benefits from the Yangtze River’s ‘iron-water intermodal’ transportation. The business opportunities here are abundant.” He committed to enhancing collaboration with Sichuan and Luzhou, aiming to assist more Taiwanese entrepreneurs and young people in visiting, networking, and developing their careers in the region.
During the conference, eight cooperation projects were signed between Sichuan and Taiwan, amounting to 1.68 billion RMB. Notably, a project in Luzhou’s Jiangyang District, which features a Taiwanese Youth Entrepreneurship Base with an investment of 80 million RMB, aims to create a diverse hotel dedicated to dining, hospitality, and accommodation, fostering an environment conducive for Taiwanese youth to pursue employment and entrepreneurship in mainland China.
Zeng Xiaoping, a project investor and leader in a Taiwanese business in Sichuan, expressed optimism about the resources available through the new association, stating, “Beyond the hotel industry, we are also investing in agriculture and hope to build a bridge for collaboration between Taiwan and Sichuan.”
Throughout the conference, attendees toured various regions including the Sichuan Free Trade Zone, Luzhou Wine Industrial Park, Luzhou National High-tech Zone, and agricultural and cultural industries in nearby districts, exploring the local business environment and identifying opportunities for development.
