Mainland business encouraged to invest in Taiwan

A cross-Straits investment seminar has been held in Taichung. The session, held on Wednesday, was aimed at encouraging businesses from the Chinese mainland to invest in Taiwan.

The seminar was an important part in the fourth round of cross-Straits trade talks. It was organized by the Beijing-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits, known as ARATS, and Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, or SEF. In an opening statement, ARATS president Chen Yunlin urged the island to provide a favorable and safe investment environment for mainland investors.

Chen said, "I was an entrepreneur myself. For investment, I have to consider several aspects. First, profits. I won't come without profits. Second, risks. It includes stability of the society."

Chen Yunlin, president of the Chinese mainland's Association for Relations  Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), speaks during the banquet held by ARATS,  in Taichung of southeast China's Taiwan, Dec. 22, 2009. The ARATS held the  banquet to express its thanks to the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange  Foundation (SEF) and the people who had worked for the talks between  the two organizations. (Xinhua/Yuan Man)

SEF chairman Chiang Pin-kung said he hoped mainland investors would learn more about investment processes on the island, as a result of the seminar.

So far, mainland investors have funded 22 projects in Taiwan, worth more than 1-billion New Taiwan Dollars, since the island opened to mainland investment in June this year. Both leaders have found the result less than ideal, and called for more cooperation.