Kinmen magistrate touts efforts to improve livelihoods

Taipei, Jan. 31 (CNA) Keen to help improve the livelihoods of local residents, Kinmen Magistrate Yang Cheng-wu (楊鎮浯) has put economic, tourism and environmental issues high on his agenda since taking the helm of the local government in December last year.

Speaking at a news conference at the offshore county's Shuitou Harbor following a visit to China, Yang said Wednesday that he exchanged views on two-way cooperation related to environmental protection, tourism and marine trash with Fujian Province authorities while there.

Traveling at the head of a delegation of officials from various departments, Yang visited Quanzhou and Xiamen cities during his four-day visit, part of efforts to sell Kinmen's tourism and specialty products to Fujian, which lies only 10 kilometers opposite Kinmen across the Taiwan Strait.

"We have come up with several feasible measures and I'll do my best to let local people sense the enthusiasm of the Kinmen County government," Yang said.

He said Kinmen will swiftly move to connect and cooperate with the Fujian authorities, focusing on economic issues and environmental sustainability.

According to Yang, the Fujian authorities have agreed to encourage people to sightsee in Kinmen and to team up with Kinmen to handle marine trash through a systematic mechanism.

The Kinmen County government will do whatever is possible within its jurisdiction to achieve these objectives and will seek assistance from the central government where necessary, he explained.

Yang said the Fujian authorities promised to help promote Kaoliang liquor, one of the county's most representative specialty products, adding that Kinmen-made beef products are expected to enter the Chinese market following the Lunar New Year holiday.

In terms of preventing African swine fever from reaching Kinmen, the Fujian authorities also promised to tighten luggage inspections for Kinmen-bound passengers.