Anofficial from Maritime Safety Administration hands over a yacht driving license for Taiwan compatriot Chen Shibin(Left).

"I am glad to obtain a yacht driving license in Pingtan!" On February 14, Taiwan compatriot Chen Shibin received a yacht driving license at Pingtan’s Maritime Safety Administration, becoming the first Taiwan compatriot to obtain a yacht driving license in Pingtan, the closest place on the mainland to the island of Taiwan.

Chen, who has been working and living in Pingtan, was informed that Taiwan compatriots could get a yacht driving license in Pingtan last year, so he signed up. After training and tests, he obtained an A2E class license.

" I work in the tourism sector. Therefore I hope my experiences will inspire more Taiwan compatriots to come to Pingtan for work or business ventures, and pave the way for the island's development as an international tourism island," said Chen Shibin.

This is a milestone for exploring cross-Straits policies for crews. Guo Guojie, director of the Government Affairs Center of Pingtan Maritime Safety Administration, said it is pushing for policy support and recognition for Taiwan yacht licenses that would allow license holders to obtain a mainland license to encourage more Taiwan compatriots to come onboard.

Pingtan is also the only comprehensive pilot zone for cross-Straits integration. According to the government report of Pingtan, Pingtan will ramp up experimental efforts to deepen its cross-Straits integration. Previously, Pingtan has taken the lead inexploring the adoption of the same or similar vocational qualifications of Taiwan, attracting Taiwan compatriots to work and start a business.

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