OREANDA-NEWS. August 30, 2011. Anhui province will beef up efforts to expand areas of partnership and improve levels of cooperation with Taiwan.

Zhang Baoshun, secretary of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, made the remark as he met with John Chiang (Jiang Xiaoyan), vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang, in Hefei, capital of Anhui province, on Sunday.

Zhan Xialai, member of the standing committee of the CPC Anhui committee, as well as officials from relevant departments directly under the provincial government attended the meeting.

Zhang said with the implementation of two national strategies of expanding domestic demand and promoting the rising of the Central China, especially when the Industrial Transfer Demonstration Zone in the Anhui Yangtze River City Belt, and the Pilot Province of National Technological Innovation Projects, two large national platforms offered to the province by the State Council, are now under rapid development, the province has begun to play an increasingly important role in the national development layout by taking advantage of its good location, abundant resources and competitive industries, and is well prepared for domestic and overseas investment.

Enjoying a long-standing relationship despite being far apart, Anhui and Taiwan have boosted contact and cooperation in economy, trade and culture over the past few years, the secretary said.

In April, a delegation with governor Wang Sanyun as its head conducted a fruitful tour to Taiwan, raising the partnership to a new high.

At the meeting, Zhang called for joint efforts to expand areas of partnership and improve levels of cooperation to bring mutual benefits to both sides.

John extended his congratulations on Anhui's remarkable achievements in economic and social development and appreciated support Taiwanese corporations have got in the inland province.

"Anhui province impressed me a lot with its beautiful scenery, long-standing history and culture and vigorous momentum during my brief stay here," he said.

The vice chairman said he will strive to further raise the popularity and clout of Anhui province in Taiwan, and encourage more local enterprises to expand their business in Anhui.