Support vital spark for success

Xiamen in East China's Fujian province is making great efforts to create a favorable environment for high-tech companies as it looks to upgrade its industry.

As one of the major hi-tech projects this year, the United Microelectronics Corp, a leading semiconductor manufacturer from Taiwan, is bringing its 12-inch wafer belt-lines to Xiamen National Torch Hi-Tech development zone.

"We feel indebted for all the help and support the local authority has given us, with such an investment-friendly environment and favorable polices, I have faith in this project, as well as the potential of further cooperation," said Victor Yu, president of United Semiconductor Co. Ltd, the subsidiary of UMC in Xiamen.

According to Yu, the investment in the plant was 38.52 billion yuan ($6.2 biliion). The factory will have a maximum production capacity of 50,000 units per month and a test run is planned for 2016.

Xiamen is working on a series of innovative measures to develop the high-end mobile terminal industries, which it has identified as a growth industry, and Xiamen National Torch Hi-Tech Development Zone, has been established to attract and support both investments and talents.

Founded in 1990, the zone is one of the major national high-tech industrial hubs approved by the Chinese State Council. Companies in the zone produce tablet monitors, communication equipment, LEDs and integrated circuits, among other things.

"We try to fully understand the demands of our clients and assist them in whatever way we can. We have formed a special panel of professional advisers and experts to help clients solve any problems they encounter." said Sui Guoyu, the director of Xiamen Torch Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone Investment Service Center.

Sui added that as well as the support it provides, the zone is embarking on a series of talent schemes. So far, the zone has attracted 500 overseas returnees, 61 industry-leading talents and five experts from Taiwan.

"My company had a branch in Shanghai for 20 years, and we share a close relationship with UMC in Taiwan. I think expanding to Xiamen makes good sense because of the close proximity between the two and ease of travel. It is also a good opportunity to take advantage of the talent produced by the universities here. The business should be very profitable and successful," said Terry W. Russell, vice-president Asia Operations, Toppan Photomasks Company Ltd, one of the major suppliers to UMC.