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)
