Beihai, in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, released a batch of 40 initiatives on Dec 30, aimed at further boosting economic and cultural links with Taiwan, said Zhang Yongjun, director of Beihai's Taiwan affairs office, on Jan 11.

The initiatives offer political guarantees that Taiwan residents can enjoy the same treatment as locals in areas spanning investment, development, entrepreneurship, employment, study and living.

Zhang said that the initiatives have encouraged Taiwan-based companies and residents to fully use their advantages and to take an active role in the integrated development of Beihai.

Residents of Taiwan are able to participate in the operation and management of care service facilities for the aged, while medical institutes and qualified nursing institutions for the aged are being encouraged to seek more development opportunities in Beihai.

More efforts have been made to attract Taiwan-based talents. These efforts include providing one-stop services for Taiwan residents - the same as for high-caliber talents being introduced to Beihai - and giving certain priority for Taiwan residents in areas such as children's enrollment, professional title evaluation and medical treatment.

Zhang said that the exchanges and cooperation between Beihai and Taiwan in culture and the economy have been getting stronger, and a batch of Taiwan-invested companies are growing in Beihai. The contract investment amount of Taiwan-investment companies has been exceeding 2 billion yuan ($309.12 million) for three consecutive years.