Tourists posed at Pingtan Taiwan-themed Town

In a recent confluence of efforts supported by a myriad of stakeholders, Pingtan Taiwan-themed Town emerged as a beacon of cross-Straits collaboration, garnering attention from industry experts and enthusiasts alike. Facilitated by entities such as the Fujian Provincial Tourism Industry Association and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, the "Taiwan No.1 Duty-Free Mall and Cross-Straits O2O Tourism New Retail Spring Promotion" was launched.

The strategic convergence aimed to transcend conventional boundaries, sparking dialogues on novel opportunities and collaborative models for cross-Straits cultural integration. The ultimate vision? To not only propel Pingtan's tourism industry to new heights but to contribute substantively to the tapestry of cross-Straits tourism.

Crafting a Consummate Haven for Shoppers

Taiwan-imported liquor sold in the shopping mall

At the heart of the event was the spotlight on Pingtan Taiwan-themed Town's 1st Duty-Free Mall, an expansive 8,000 square meters of retail space that underwent a transformative upgrade in June 2023. Operated by the adept Cross-Straits Connection (Pingtan) Development Co., Ltd., this mall has evolved beyond a mere purveyor of Taiwan-imported duty-free goods. It has metamorphosed into a multifaceted entity, embracing cross-border commodity displays, general trade exhibitions, and more. This expansion not only provides a dynamic platform for showcasing Taiwanese brands but also opens avenues for employment opportunities for Taiwan compatriots, fostering a symbiotic fusion of Fujian and Taiwan cultures.

Heightening Tourist Retail Experiences

Tourists experiencing immersive shopping

Tourists found themselves ensconced in a retail wonderland, perusing a diverse assortment of Taiwan products spanning baijiu (distilled spirit), snacks, daily essentials, and chic apparel. The shopping precinct, adorned with meticulously crafted Taiwan-themed murals, became a veritable canvas where shopping transcended the transactional. It became an immersive, artistic journey.

Luo Lin, head of China (Fujian) International Travel Service Co., Ltd., expressed delight, saying, "The 1st Duty-Free Mall features a variety of tax-free beauty and skincare products, providing consumers with new shopping options. The next time I visit Pingtan, I will surely bring friends here for a unique shopping experience" The intent is clear – Pingtan as a recommended travel destination, accentuates the allure of purchasing Taiwan-imported duty-free products with unparalleled convenience.

Collaborative Synergy for Enhanced Retail Rapture

The Pingtan Taiwan-themed Town 1st Duty-Free Mall, a collaborative venture with Taiwan's esteemed CJW International Co., Ltd., manifested triumph in 2023. Welcoming approximately 300,000 visitors, it achieved a remarkable sales revenue of nearly 50 million RMB. Fueled by preferential tax-free regulatory policies from the mainland’s authorities, each visitor relished a daily tax-free consumption limit of 6,000 RMB on Taiwanese goods.

The collaboration with CJW International stands testament to Pingtan's strategic policy dividends. Boasting differentiated customs management models and six preferential tax policies," Pingtan has witnessed an upswing in active international trade. The import and export value soared to 20.465 billion RMB in 2022, etching a historic milestone.

Future Vistas and Pingtan-Taiwan Partnership

Looking ahead, Pingtan envisages a tourism hub that seamlessly integrates with Pingtan Taiwan-themed Town, offering dedicated shuttle services to self-driving and tour group vehicles. This visionary hub aspires to be a centralized service center, orchestrating journeys to attractions like the adjacent 68-Nautical-Mile Scenic Area and Pingtan Ao’qiao Fisherman's Wharf.

The partnership, divulged by Li Zidian, executive director of Cross-Straits Connection (Pingtan) Development Co., Ltd., adds a new dimension to the retail panorama. The Cross-Border E-commerce Display Experience Mall, set to launch trial operations in May, occupies nearly 9,000 square meters on the second floor of the 1st Duty-Free Mall. This zone is poised to create an immersive cross-border bonded O2O experience, with robust expressions of interest from formidable supply chain companies.

Culmination: A Tapestry of Retail Extravaganza

The collaboration and the ongoing overhaul of the 1st Duty-Free Mall underscore Pingtan's steadfast commitment to becoming a global tourist destination with a youthful, fashionable vibe. The Pingtan Taiwan-themed Town 1st Duty-Free Mall aims to transcend conventional duty-free shopping, morphing into a premium destination offering not just products but a confluence of cultural, artistic, and entertainment experiences. Pingtan's ambitious target to double sales revenue in the coming year through a seamless blend of on-site shopping, live streaming promotions, and an integrated online and offline marketing approach promises a retail saga like no other. This collaborative endeavor between Pingtan and Taiwan is a beacon illuminating the potential of cross-Straits cooperation, charting a course for the future of tourism and trade.