More local measures to enhance cross-Strait exchanges: Spokesperson

BEIJING - A number of new measures have been released by provinces and cities in the Chinese mainland to enhance cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on Tuesday made public the measures to be taken by East China's Jiangxi and Shandong provinces, Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, and Fuzhou, capital city of southeastern China's Fujian province. They were formulated on the basis of 31 measures unveiled by the office in February.

The 60 measures issued by Jiangxi earlier this month focus on answering the requests of Taiwan compatriots, such as granting equal treatment for Taiwanese students in terms of enrollment, and for Taiwanese people in medical services.

The measures also aim to improve the treatment for Taiwanese enterprises, by helping them further expand into the international market with favorable local policies and railway express services to Europe from the province, and by supporting Taiwanese talent with funding.

According to the 56 measure issued by Shandong, Taiwanese students will enjoy more types of scholarships to study at universities in the province, and Taiwanese artists and scholars are encouraged to work with art troupes, research institutes and other institutions in Shandong. Attracting Taiwanese researchers in Confucianism to the province was highlighted among the culture-related measures.

Similar measures in various respects concerning both Taiwanese people and enterprises will be implemented in Chongqing municipality and Fuzhou, which tailored 58 and 68 new measures respectively.

The 31 measures released by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council in February include 12 on equal treatment for Taiwan enterprises, and 19 on offering Taiwan compatriots equality with mainland compatriots in education, setting up businesses, and working and living in the mainland.