Xiamen, a coastal city in southeastern Fujian province, is only a small segment of water away from Taiwan and has demonstrated its significance in cross-Straits relations.

Two vital occasions, Xiamen International Fair for Investment & Trade and the Xiamen International Industrial Exposition (XMIE), have been acting as two essential platforms launched to strengthen business exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

The Xiamen International Fair is an event held annually in Xiamen, China, and now has evolved into China's only international investment platform aimed at facilitating inbound and outbound investment.

XMIE, also known as China Xiamen Machinery and Electronics Exhibition (CXMEE), is staged in Xiamen every April. Over the past years, XMIE has stimulated and accelerated cross-Straits economic growth.

At the promotional conference held by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) Taipei office and the Xiamen Convention and Exhibition Bureau in Taipei on Feb 21, Li Rongmin, head of the CCCME Taipei office, confirmed the great roles the two events play in cross-Straits business exchanges.

Li stressed that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are a family despite being separated by the Straits, and expected cross-Straits business associations to jointly help Taiwan’s products, capital, and technologies out of a dilemma and flourish some way in the Chinese mainland.

Wang Qiongwen, vice-minister of China International Trade and Investment Fair (CIFIT) organizing committee’s conference affairs department, and director of the Xiamen Convention and Exhibition Bureau, said Taiwan and Xiamen have remained enthusiastic regarding investment and transactions since the 1980s. He noted with much emphasis that Xiamen would act as a pioneer and mainstay during Fujian province’s campaign to build itself into a center on the Maritime Silk Road. The city plans to combine effort from Taiwan and continuously expand the influence of its pilot free trade zone, optimize its business conditions, and propel its progress in integration with the global economy.

Zheng Fuxiong, vice president of Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association -- a major sponsor for XMIE 2017 -- pointed out the importance of Xiamen in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and advised cross-Straits communities and individuals to proactively embrace the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. Zheng spoke highly of the Chinese mainland’s active moves to persistently support Taiwan in the past.