Podcast: Story in the Story (9/19/2018 Wed.)

From the People’s Daily app.

This is Story in the Story.

It was announced in August 2018 that people from Taiwan employed on the Chinese mainland are no longer required to have work permits.

According to Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the decision was made based on a study by the office and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), and the suggestions and advice of Taiwan compatriots.

As Ma explained, business licenses, contracts, payroll and insurance payment records can serve as work permits for Taiwan compatriots on the mainland.

“It’s a measure aimed at providing them with treatment equal to that of their mainland compatriots in academics, starting businesses, employment opportunities, and livelihood,” Ma added.

The decision was part of a State Council move which also eliminated the requirement for Hong Kong and Macao citizens to acquire a work permit to work in the mainland.

Today’s Story in the Story will  look at how the city of Xiamen, in East China’s Fujian Province, has taken the lead in providing highly skilled talent from Taiwan a life filled with opportunities they couldn’t find anywhere else.

Airline cabin crew members from Taiwan attend an inauguration ceremony held by Xiamen Airlines on August 16, 2018. (Photo: China Daily)

In East China’s Fujian Province, in the city of Xiamen, the closest mainland city to Taiwan, has taken the lead in implementing recent initiatives that improve the lives of Taiwan residents who work or run businesses in the coastal city.

By the end of last year, 120,000 Taiwan residents, including 2,400 students were living in Xiamen.

Local government officials recognized 195 people for having high-end skills that could be applied in the advanced technology sector or medical field, to name a few.

Those who are recognized by the local government for their talents are eligible to receive work subsidies up to 1.2 million yuan.  It’s an initiative they won’t find anywhere else, either across the Straits or in a foreign country.

Huang Kai-yun, who ran a music school in Taiwan for 20 years, moved her business to Xiamen after visiting the city a few years ago.

"I was attracted by the musical atmosphere and the many families who wanted to give their children a musical education,” Huang said.

Huang received a one-time subsidy of 80,000 yuan ($11,700) to help start her business on the mainland, along with a monthly subsidy of 6,000 yuan to cover the rent.

San'an Optoelectronics is an LED company with about 400 employees from Taiwan. They have the necessary skills to work in the specific sector and offer a level of experience that makes them highly sought after.

Senior engineer Hsu Chenko joined the company's branch in Wuhu, Anhui Province, in 2008, and became the technical director of the headquarters in Xiamen in 2013.

"I was the first person from Taiwan in the company, and I thought it was a good opportunity because the company was growing and the mainland offered various living and working subsidies," the 46-year-old said.

One hospital from Taiwan that opened a decade ago in Xiamen employs many doctors from the island.  Over the years, some of have received honorary titles bestowed upon them by mainland authorities to help cement their credibility within the local community.

"I recommend young people from Taiwan who want to work in the mainland to come here as early as possible; they can even attend mainland colleges to adapt earlier," said Hsu, who has introduced many people to the opportunities in Xiamen.

(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Lance Crayon, Raymond Mendoza, and Da Hang. Music by: bensound.com. Text from Xinhua and China Daily.)