All 31 preferential policies for Taiwan to be implemented: spokesperson

BEIJING - All 31 preferential policies for Taiwan released in February will be fully implemented soon, An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a press conference Wednesday.

"Many of the policies have already taken effect, bringing solid benefits to Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan-funded enterprises," An said. "As more policies are being implemented, Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan-funded enterprises will enjoy more opportunities and greater space of development on the mainland."

Taiwan compatriots could take job qualification exams for inspectors of civil nuclear safety equipment, operators of civil nuclear facilities and certified nuclear safety engineer in accordance with current regulations, An said.

They could also take the job qualification exam for banking professionals for the second half of the year, he said.

The rules for Taiwan compatriots to take job qualification exam for quarantine inspectors will be issued soon by the General Administration of Customs, according to An.

Exams for patent agents, performing brokers, engineering consultation, among others, are already open to Taiwan compatriots.

Noting that Taiwan-funded companies were encouraged to participate in government procurement in Fujian province, An said the province had so far purchased 1,303 vehicles produced by Taiwan-funded enterprises worth 155 million yuan ($24 million), and the province's banking system had purchased around 30,000 displays produced by Taiwan-funded companies.

According to their practical needs, An said the mainland would come up with more policies granting equal treatment to Taiwanese compatriots.

He also briefed on financial cooperation between the island and Fujian province under the plan for the development of the Fujian pilot free trade zone.

"This year marks the 40th anniversary of the reform and opening-up policy, and the mainland will take measures to speed up the development of the free trade zones, further open up its service sectors, and ease access restrictions in the financial market," An said. "All these measures will apply to Taiwan-funded enterprises as well."