Cross-strait entrepreneurs summit

PKG

INTRO

The 2013 Zijinshan Summit for Entrepreneurs across the Taiwan Strait has concluded in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

During the meeting, business leaders from across the Strait signed 24 exchange and cooperation memoranda and projects, with a proposal also issued for closer cooperation.

PKG

The business summit, first held in 2008, is dedicated to providing a platform for entrepreneurs for common development.

This year marks the first "upgraded" annual meeting after the mainland and Taiwan each set up councils of the Zijinshan Summit.

The proposal issued at this year's summit called for both sides to integrate resources, expand cooperative industries and create common markets in order to boost mutual prosperity.

At a sub-forum of the summit, pacts were signed to grant investment of more than 700 million U.S. dollars to the mainland.

A total of 600 entrepreneurs and financial professionals across the Strait attended the summit.

SOUNDBITE: GAO QIANG, Former health minister

"The mainland has incomparable advantages in terms of its resources and market. Taiwan's enterprises have advanced technology, better management experience and well-known brands. but local markets are too small. The complementary strengths of the two sides lay a solid foundation for deepening cooperation."

SOUNDBITE: CHEN HAIYAN, Entrepreneur

"Actually, cultural enterprises across the Strait are looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunities cooperation brings. The summit opens the door for cooperation and serves as a platform for business exchanges. I think it will bring fruitful results."

At the summit's closing ceremony, it was announced that the 2014 Zijinshan Summit will be held in Taipei.