New policies will employ more Taiwan people on the mainland

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A package of preferential policies have been introduced on the mainland in the areas of economy, science, culture and education.

The policies have been unveiled at the Fourth Straits Forum taking place in the coastal city of Xiamen.

Under the new policies, people from Taiwan will have the same status as people from the mainland when applying for jobs.

At the same time, people from Taiwan with the right academic credentials are going to be allowed to work in public institutions in six provinces and municipalities.

Lu Xianchi, a Taiwan expert from Peking University, says he's seen first-hand the development of cross-strait ties the last few years.

"There are several Taiwan professors working at Peking University. They are long-term employees rather than visiting scholars.Taiwan people see opportunities with mainland's fast economic growth, and they believe the development of cross-strait relations is irreversible, so they want to work here. "

But at the same time, Lu Xianchi admits there are many areas that need to be worked on here on the mainland to give people from Taiwan real national treatment.

Zeng Zhenhong is from Taiwan.

He's been working at a hospital in Tianjin for the last five years after getting his medical degree on the mainland.

Zeng says these new policies unveiled on the mainland should have been brought in some time ago.

"I feel these policies are late because I already face problems working here. Authorities only say I can take professional exams to get certificates but they don't tell me how to do it. It is uncertain when the policies will be implemented and when we will enjoy substantial benefits. "

Zeng also says mainland employers are reluctant to hire people from Taiwan because of the complex procedures involved in sorting out issues such as social security, residency permits and personal records.

Gao Wei with the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots suggests the bureaucracy needs to be streamlined.

"Many people in Taiwan are interested in working on the mainland, especially at universities and hospitals, but they can only work in local ones at present. The rules are strict. Fujian Province has set an example and made a breakthrough with these policies. Other cities will follow suit. But it can only be done step-by-step."

On top of the new preferential work policies, the mainland is also promising to import rice from Taiwan, offer more investment opportunities to businesses from Taiwan, expand mainland individual tours and increase the number of tourist agencies operating tours to the island.