To quicken the pace of Pingtan's development, the State Council has agreed to build an inter-ministerial joint conference mechanism for the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone in Fujian province, China News reported from the Fujian Provincial Development and Reform Commission on March 12.

Under the leadership of the State Council, the joint conference will serve to plan and coordinate the Pingtan pilot zone's overall construction. It will tackle implementation problems; strengthen guidance, supervise and evaluate; coordinate and solve policy issues, project arrangements and institutional mechanisms; and improve communication and coordination between departments.

The State Council's action is a further sign of the State's support of Pingtan's development and opening-up. It will accelerate the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone’s development and construction.

At the first Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone Inter-Ministerial Joint Conference, organized by the National Development and Reform Commission, participating members discussed State-level policies that can help accelerate Pingtan’s development.

"Though the comprehensive plan grants Pingtan more advantageous policies compared to the nation’s special economic zones, the Pingtan pilot zone's development requires coordination and solutions at the State level, including breakthroughs in joint management and the authorization of administrative laws and regulations," said experts during the first joint conference.

The Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone was created to strengthen cross-Straits cooperation and explore innovative cooperative methods.

The State Council implemented the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone Comprehensive Development Plan in November 2011.

Early this year in February, the National Development and Reform Commission issued the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone Industrial Development Guidance.

The guidance indicates that seven industries are being encouraged in Pingtan – namely high-tech, service, agriculture and marine, tourism, social undertakings and eco-environment protection – to invite business and investment and promote cross-Straits industries and markets.

Since the zone's establishment in 2010, it has gradually built up infrastructure for industrial development and cooperation, including water, electricity, roads, bridges and dock infrastructures and a cross-Straits high-speed ro-ro ship route.

Investment from Taiwan is rapidly growing in Pingtan. More than 80 Taiwan enterprises have settled here, including TPK and TPV.