Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, one of China's only two state-approved international tourism islands alongside Hainan, has unveiled remarkable progress in economic and social development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), with ambitious plans for deeper cross-Straits integration and high-quality growth in the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Huang Jianbo, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Working Committee and Director of the Administrative Committee of Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, shared the updates at a press conference held by the Publicity Department of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee on January 12.

Key Achievements in the 14th Five-Year Plan Period

Industrial Transformation & Green Transition

Pingtan has achieved full coverage of green power supply across the island, supported by a wind power installed capacity of nearly 790,000 kilowatts and the successful commissioning of Fujian's first large-scale centralized shared energy storage station. The zone has emerged as a hub for cross-border e-commerce, attracting industry leaders such as Sam's Global Purchase, Tmall, JD.com, and Pinduoduo, with bonded import volumes leading Fujian Province for years. Its digital economy has also flourished, with over 3,500 new digital enterprises established, backed by dedicated international internet data channels and a cross-Straits integrated smart computing center. Traditional sectors like construction and shipping have maintained steady growth, with the total shipping capacity reaching 5.91 million deadweight tons, accounting for over a quarter of Fujian's total.

Boosting Culture, Sports & Tourism

As a rising international tourism destination, Pingtan has hosted prestigious events including the Asian Baseball Championship and the World Beach Handball Championship, alongside five signature sports festivals focusing on kitesurfing, car racing, beach games, sailing, and baseball/softball. Cultural heritage protection has been a priority: the Keqiutou Site Group was listed among China's Top 10 Archaeological Discoveries, and the Austronesian cultural sites are now on the country's tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage. Tourism data reflects strong momentum, with annual visitor arrivals stabilizing at 10 million and total tourism spending hitting 10 billion yuan (approx. $1.4 billion), both growing at an average annual rate of over 20%. Out-of-province visitors and overnight stays account for more than 50% and 60% respectively.

Deepening Cross-Straits Integration

Pingtan has solidified its role as a key platform for cross-Straits cooperation. Trade volume with Taiwan grew at an average annual rate of 21.7%, making it one of the largest ports for importing agricultural and fishery products from Taiwan. It also leads the nation in cross-Straits cross-border e-commerce, with the launch of 1688 Cross-Straits Sourcing Center – the first online sourcing and trading platform targeting Taiwan under Alibaba's 1688.com. For Taiwan residents, Pingtan has issued 995,000 Mainland Travel Permits for Taiwan Residents, accounting for over 95% of Fujian's total, and pioneered the multi-scenario application of these permits alongside Taiwan Resident Residence Permits. The zone also established the first national-level cross-Straits professional qualification service platform, facilitating the recognition of Taiwan's professional credentials, enterprise qualifications, and product certifications. Over 560 cross-Straits exchange events have been held, attracting more than 13,000 Taiwan compatriots.

Innovation & Opening-Up

Pingtan has rolled out innovative pilot policies, including a unified cross-currency bank account system, foreign exchange NRA accounts, and QFLP (Qualified Foreign Limited Partner) schemes, along with streamlined procedures for overseas Chinese remittances. Five of its reform initiatives were recognized as national model practices for free trade zones, 15 have been replicated nationwide, and 77 were adopted as Fujian's provincial innovation measures – of which 45 are national firsts and 21 are specifically tailored for cross-Straits cooperation. Internationally, Pingtan has expanded its international outreach by hosting events such as the China-Island Countries Ocean Cooperation Forum and establishing sister-city ties with Madang in Papua New Guinea, with plans to forge similar partnerships with Cambodia's Kampot Province.

Urban-Rural Integration & Livelihood Improvements

The island has achieved full integration of water supply and public transportation networks, with road density ranking among Fujian's highest. Rural tap water coverage has reached 100%, ending the era of relying on rainfall for water. Educational and healthcare services have been upgraded: the coverage rate of standardized compulsory education schools is among the province's best, nursing beds in elderly care facilities have increased from 26% to 80%, and prices of pharmaceuticals and medical consumables have dropped by an average of 50% and 67% respectively. Pingtan has also maintained top-tier air quality in Fujian for a decade, with excellent coastal water quality, earning it recognition as a "Beautiful and Harmonious Island" and a pilot city for carbon peaking.

Ambitions for the 15th Five-Year Plan

Looking ahead, Pingtan aims to enhance its status as a distinctive international tourism island, with plans to increase tourism's contribution to GDP to over 17% and boost per capita tourism consumption by 5% annually. It will expand the recognition of Taiwan's professional qualifications and enterprise certifications, striving for the gradual full opening of cross-Straits trade in goods and services.

The zone will further optimize its free trade area layout, pursue pioneering reform initiatives, and foster emerging industries such as new energy, marine engineering, biomedicine, and big data, while upgrading traditional strengths like construction and shipping. Efforts will also be made to attract professional service institutions in commerce, finance, international exhibitions, and intellectual property.

Pingtan will push for rural revitalization and new urbanization, deepen urban-rural integration reforms, and improve public services and social security systems, while maintaining its leading ecological environment in Fujian. As Huang Jianbo emphasized, the zone is committed to advancing the "One Island, Two Windows, Three Districts" development strategy and making greater strides in its practice of Chinese-style modernization.

Note:Pingtan's core development strategy "One Island, Two Windows, Three Districts" is a blueprint aligning its geographic advantages, policy dividends and national goals. "One Island" positions it as a world-class international tourism island leveraging coastal and cultural resources. "Two Windows" define its roles: a pioneer hub for Fujian-Taiwan cooperation (facilitating cross-Straits trade, talent exchanges and policy convenience for Taiwan compatriots) and a testbed for national high-level opening-up (innovative customs supervision and FTZ reforms). "Three Districts" are functional clusters: Emerging Industry District (focused on green energy and digital economy), High-End Service District (cross-border logistics and finance) and Livability District (urban-rural integration and livelihood improvement). The strategy aims to advance cross-Straits integration, high-quality opening-up and sustainable development.

(Source: people.cn)