"We will take the opportunity to attract more investments from Taiwan now that it is undergoing a new round of business restructuring. Many of its production and research bases are to be transferred to other places outside Taiwan," said Xi Jinping, National People's Congress (NPC) deputy and governor of Fujian.

Speaking at a press briefing held in Beijing yesterday, Xi said Fujian will, in the next five years, search for a breakthrough in cross-Straits business relations so as to fuel an economic upswing.

To promote a better investment environment in the province and lure more investments, more infrastructure facilities will be constructed, said Xi, referring to the construction of a railway from Ganzhou in Jiangxi Province to Xiamen in Fujian, a railway from Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province to Fuzhou in Fujian and the Xiamen-Fuzhou Railway. The construction of the three railways will begin later this year.

Commenting also on the Yuanhua smuggling case, Xi said the crackdown had indicated the province's commitment to creating a fairer, more open and transparent business environment.

Hong Yongshi, NPC deputy and Party secretary of Xiamen, refuted the rumour that the city's economy has been damaged by the crackdown and that a large proportion of the city's officials had been involved. "Xiamen's economy has grown fast as investors have regained their confidence thanks to our efforts in fighting against corruption and smuggling."

He revealed that the total number of officials suspected of being involved in the Yuanhua smuggling case is less than 200, only a small proportion of the city's more than 10,000 officials.

(China Daily 03/09/2001)