Gao Zhengwu uses a sprayer to create an environment ideal for the growth of edible fungi.

Pingtan, a coastal hub in Fujian Province that serves as the mainland's closest point to Taiwan and a key zone for cross-Straits integration, has become the site of a small yet impactful agricultural collaboration: a local couple's venture to grow Taiwanese fungusvarieties on the mainland and ship the harvest back to Taiwan for sale.  

In September 2025, Pingtan local Gao Zhengwu and his wife Zheng Ying turned a bold idea into action. Zheng, who once worked in Taiwan, had noticed the untapped potential of the island's high-value fungus species. "Pingtan's climate and geography match Taiwan's so well," Gao said. "We thought, why not grow these here? It's a real way to connect both sides of the Straits."  

The journey began with hardships. When Gao first planted golden ear fungi—one of the Taiwanese strains he sought to cultivate—imperfect temperature control led to mold, destroying the entire batch of precious fungi. The first attempt was a disaster, but Gao refused to give up. "It was weeks of trial and error," he admitted. "A constant battle with humidity and heat. But failure wasn't an option." His persistence finally paid off. Today, their farm successfully produces four high-value fungus species: antler lingzhi, golden ear fungus, dendrobium officinale, and trametes cinnabarina.  

Their cross-Straits workflow operates seamlessly: Gao oversees every step of the cultivation process in Pingtan, from caring for the fungusspawn to monitoring environmental conditions (such as temperature and humidity) to ensure optimal growth. Once the fungi are harvested, they are shipped to Taiwan, where Zheng takes charge of sales and market distribution. "This works because we split the work across the Straits," Zheng explained. "He grows them well here on the mainland; I sell them directly in Taiwan's market—we play to each other's strengths."  

The couple's success soon attracted Gao's elder brother, Gao Zhengdong, to join the venture. "I saw their hard work—and how wonderfully the fungi grow here in Pingtan," he said. "It's such a smart move to leverage Pingtan's advantages together with Taiwan's strengths."  

Today, their small-scale operation runs like clockwork, with fresh fungi transported regularly between Pingtan and Taiwan. For the couple, their focus remains simple: maintain top-quality produce, keep the cross-Straits supply chain smooth, and keep deepening the connection between both sides—one harvest at a time.