China’s exports were badly hurt after the US subprime mortgage crisis led to plunging property prices, a slowdown in the global economy, and billions in losses by banks.

With orders taking a dive, the export enterprises and local enterprises alike were left scratching their heads, in search of not just business opportunities but the industrial transformation.

Taking advantage of the direct transport route offered by Taicang Port, Kunshan launched the ground-breaking of the cross-Straits (Kunshan) commercial and trade cooperation zone at Huaqiao International Service Business Park, creating a new model of commercial and trade cooperation between Suzhou and Taiwan.

In addition, Kunshan has been trying other ways to realize the industrial transformation from manufacturing to offering business services. Kunshan also worked together with the Taiwan government in fields such as catering and agriculture.

The fourth cross-Straits commercial and trade forum was held last December, which promoted cross-Straits cooperation to a higher stage of development. The officials and experts came to an agreement after discussing over a series of subjects, including expanding the cross-Straits financial cooperation in the service industry, promoting mutual investment across the Straits and constructing a mutual market.

In accordance to the agreement, direct flight, direct mail and direct carriage of goods by sea have been implemented since last December. Goods worth about 150 billion dollars are expected to be sent from the Taicang annually, the only port for cross-Strait transportation in east China’s Jiangsu province.

Kunshan, where one ninth of Taiwanese enterprises in the mainland have gathered, has always been called mini Taipei.

As the cross-Straits relationships continue to improve, the Kunshan economy is entering into a critical phase of transformation and upgrade, which will lay solid foundations for the economic and trade cooperation between Kunshan and Taiwan, something desired by both Kunshan itself and local Taiwanese enterprises.

By Xie Fang