Pingtan Island in Fujian Province, located in the Taiwan Straits, has long served as a frontline of cross-Straits exchange, where people, business, and daily life increasingly intersect.

On June 10, at the 15th Common Homeland Forum, a stage production adapted from the real-life experience of Taiwan entrepreneur Yang Zongxian moving to the Chinese mainland and building his business in Pingtan drew an emotional response. Watching his own journey retold on stage, Yang reflected on 15 years of effort, setbacks, and persistence tied to a single place: Taiwan-themed Town in Pingtan.

From arriving alone in 2011 in search of opportunity, to opening a shop in Taiwan-themed Town in 2014, and later leaving in 2017 amid business difficulties, his path has moved through both expansion and decline. Yet his original intention remained unchanged. Today, he has returned to the town, bringing more than ten fellow Taiwan entrepreneurs to restart businesses together.

Returning after setbacks

Taiwan-themed Town has taken on a noticeably different atmosphere today. Traditional Fujian-style architecture with red-tiled roofs is now lined with Taiwan-style food outlets and cultural retail spaces, with steady visitor flows throughout the day.

Yang now manages several businesses, including a Taiwan-style cultural retail pavilion and a Taiwan-themed banquet restaurant. "We are busy every day, there is hardly any downtime," he said. "The banquet restaurant alone has more than 50 bookings a day, and since opening in February, revenue at the retail pavilion has already exceeded 7 million yuan. The tourism market in Pingtan has strong potential."

He recalled the early development of Taiwan-themed Town in 2014, when it emerged as a major duty-free retail zone for Taiwan goods and quickly became a popular destination. However, as business models became increasingly similar and offerings lacked differentiation, visitor numbers began to decline by 2017. That year, Yang left Pingtan to restart elsewhere, though he continued to hope for the town's revival.

Rebuilding through shared effort

A shift came in 2025, when policy support for cross-Straits economic exchange in Pingtan was further strengthened, including approval for expanded categories of duty-free goods in the small-amount trade market. Taiwan-themed Town subsequently entered a phase of upgrading and repositioning.

Yang decided to return.

"Where you fall, you stand up again," he said. Backed by measures such as rent reductions, renovation subsidies, and façade improvements, he expanded his operations significantly, securing 6,800 square meters of commercial space under cooperation agreements and leasing an additional 1,600 square meters independently.

His goal, he explained, is to help build a Taiwan-style lifestyle cluster and attract more entrepreneurs from across the Taiwan Straits. The newly leased space will introduce cafés, light meals, and cultural creative businesses, with openings expected in July.

Rather than operating alone, Yang has taken on a coordinating role, using long-standing personal networks to bring in partners. One of the first to join was Wang Zhiqiang, who now runs a railway bento restaurant, a beef noodle shop, and several snack outlets.

"Business has been unexpectedly strong since opening," Wang said. Encouraged by growing visitor traffic and improved infrastructure, he has invited more partners from Taiwan to join, expanding his team to seven members.

Wang said the essence of cross-Straits integration lies in practical action. "Traditional craftsmanship and new ideas need to come together. That is how new flavours are created," he said, adding that he hopes to share his experience with more young entrepreneurs considering opportunities on the Chinese mainland.

To support new entrants, Yang has also taken on financial risks, passing on all available subsidies to tenants and investing his own funds in new ventures, in some cases covering at least 35 percent of start-up capital.

"Some people think I'm too generous," Yang said. "But trust has to be built. I hope people can start here without unnecessary pressure."

A street shaped by shared culture

Today, Taiwan-themed Town has evolved from a simple retail area into a mixed commercial and cultural district combining food, retail, and tourism experiences.

Seventy-one-year-old chef Liu Senmu from Kaohsiung has also joined the project. He now serves traditional oyster omelettes, blending Taiwan cooking techniques with locally sourced seafood from Pingtan.

"We can earn more than 10,000 yuan a day," he said. "The market here is open, and I want to bring authentic Taiwan flavours here."

Visitors have responded positively. "It's my first time here. The food feels very authentic," said a tourist from Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, after trying Taiwan-style snacks.

For Yang, business success is inseparable from experience and atmosphere. His shops offer free tea, tasting samples, and a relaxed service style aimed at making visitors feel welcome.

"First be a good person, then do business," he said.

Tour groups have increasingly included Taiwan-themed Town in their itineraries, with many describing it as a place where visitors can experience "a taste of Taiwan without crossing the Straits."

In daily life, the area has also become more than a commercial space. Street-side gatherings, informal performances, and shared singing between vendors and visitors have gradually softened distance and created a sense of community.

"One man, one town, one shared homeland," Yang said. "This is no longer just a place to do business. It is a place where people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits live and build together."

He plans to further expand cultural programming, including hands-on workshops and live performances, to diversify experiences and strengthen long-term sustainability.

For Yang, the transformation of Taiwan-themed Town reflects a broader story of renewal shaped by persistence, cooperation, and everyday connections across the Taiwan Straits.