PINGTAN, Fujian - Taiwan professionals are expected to come to Pingtan Island, an experimental development zone in East China's Fujian province, in greater numbers in response to the government's offer of benefits specially tailored to them.

Sixty-two Taiwan technological and management professionals now work in Pingtan and more than 2,000 Taiwan residents have visited the island and looked at investment opportunities there.

Pingtan recently adopted policies that will make it easier for Taiwan professionals to obtain entry permits, housing and social-security benefits.

Taiwan residents working in Pingtan can apply for a certificate that will let them enter and exit the mainland freely for five years. They can also apply for a residence permit that will be valid for two to five years and ensure they can enter and exit the mainland during that time.

Taiwan management and technological professionals that meet Pingtan's requirements and also pay 50,000 yuan ($7,920) or more a year in personal income taxes can enjoy subsidies from the local government for purchasing or renting housing.

Talented professionals in scientific and technological research, financing, higher education, training and modern services can live in public rental housing for free or will have the opportunity to buy subsidized housing in Pingtan.

Taiwan residents' children can receive free instruction at preschools, as well as primary, junior and high schools in Pingtan. Taiwan residents who work for companies in the experimental zone or have their own businesses there will receive pension and medical insurance benefits.

Those who do not meet those criteria but have lived in Pingtan longer than a year will receive the same social security benefits that permanent residents do.

In addition, Taiwan residents who have kept a residence permit for more than five years and have worked in Pingtan for more than three years - but have yet to buy a residence there - will have the opportunity to buy housing subsidized by the government.

Lei Chan-kam, assistant to the board chairman of Xielli (Pingtan) Group Co, a computer-chip producer from Taiwan, said the company is building a factory and a research-and-development center in Pingtan in three years and will employ about 2,000 people by that time.

"Sixty percent of our employees will be from Taiwan," he said. "I think the local government's policies are very attractive, and I believe more talented Taiwan workers will be willing to come."

Taiwan residents working in Pingtan gained a convenient way to return to their homes on Nov 30, when a high-speed ferry began to run twice a week between Pingtan and Taichung, a city in west central Taiwan.

Du Yuansheng, a high-level Pingtan government official, said the government hopes to buy or charter three to four similar ships and open more routes to link Pingtan with coastal cities in Taiwan.

Ten businesses that have invested in Taiwan have also invested in Pingtan.

Hu Meidong contributed to this story.