Located in the Yangtze River Delta,
Wuxi is one of China' s
top 15 economically developed cities. With its favorable
geographical location, economic strength and sound investment
environment, Wuxi has become increasingly popular with Taiwanese
investors seeking to expand their business on the mainland. So far
some 1300 Taiwan-invested enterprises have been established in the
city.
The Jiangsu Ton Yi Tinplate Corporation was founded in 1994 with an
investment of over US$100 million from the Taiwan Ton Yi Industrial
Corporation. Its general manager Lu Tsung Hsien says that his
company's excellent performance over the past few years is a direct
result of their wise decision to invest in Wuxi.
"Over the past eight years, I have observed Wuxi's rapid economic
growth and tremendous social change. This recent development has
been a huge benefit not only to the local people, but also to
numerous overseas investors. My company grew very quickly in the
past few years, and both production and profits have been
increasing each year. I attribute our success to the local
government's active support, which I appreciate very much."
Lu
Tsung Hsien says that Wuxi has attracted a growing number of
Taiwanese investors with its favorable investment environment and
improved quality of service provided to overseas business people by
the local government.
His view is shared by Liao Songfu, director of the Taiwan
Invested-Enterprises Association in Wuxi.
"The local government is extremely efficient in cutting through all
the red tape. It even built a special service center so that we
could contact various governmental departments directly. Business
management couldn't be more convenient. And help is never far away
whenever we run into problems. I'm very impressed by Wuxi's entire
infrastructure."
The local government's efforts have certainly paid off. Wuxi now
boasts a high reputation among the business people of Taiwan who
consider it their city of choice for mainland investment. In recent
years, the main flow of Taiwanese capital has shifted from
traditional to high-tech industries, such as Internet technology
and telecommunications, which have greatly contributed to the
development of Wuxi's own high-tech industry.
Accompanying the increasing number of Taiwan-invested enterprises,
thousands of Taiwanese people have chosen to settle in Wuxi, and
have since developed a strong affection for the city.
Antien Chang, general manager of Wuxi Wong Lee Valve Industrial
Corporation, has lived here for ten years. He says he fell in love
with the city soon after he arrived, and now he even has more
friends in Wuxi than in Taiwan.
"After living in the city for a decade, I have completely blended
into local society. When I first arrived, I was often treated as a
guest by the local people. But now I am considered one of them. I
feel life here is as good as, or even better than in Taiwan. I have
been to many cities in the world, but I think Wuxi is one of the
best. It has become my new home. I feel a part of every new change
in the city. "
Antien Chang says that the city's beautiful scenery, kind-hearted
people and good living conditions have made it the ideal place to
live. Among all the Taiwanese people who already feel at home here,
some even consider settling down in Wuxi for the rest of their
lives.
(cri.com.cn August 14,
2002)