By Yan Yiran

"Let's start with a modest goal: selling 100 million pieces of waxberry pastry in a year," declared the entrepreneur Zeng Yizhan from Taiwan, China at the 2024 Zhejiang-Taiwan Cooperation Week special event in Ningbo.

Zeng, hailing from Nantou, Taiwan, formed a connection with waxberry pastries in the summer of 2019. He recounted his first visit to Yunnan 20 years ago, when flower cakes were unknown, yet now they are a must-buy item. Similarly, upon reaching Zhejiang, waxberries are the first fruit that comes to mind.

"We envisioned combining Taiwan's agricultural product processing technology with Ningbo's fresh waxberries to create a cross-strait fusion pastry," Zeng explained, marking his entry into the waxberry industry.

"Taiwan has the technology and product design expertise, while Ningbo can supply the waxberries and has sufficient market demand. Together, we can achieve mutual benefit," he added.

Today, Zeng's team has developed over 20 waxberry-based products, including pastries, cakes, glutinous rice balls, smoothies, and iced tea. They also offer workshops for regular consumers to craft their own waxberry-infused delicacies.

Zeng is one of many entrepreneurs from Taiwan in Ningbo. According to the Ningbo Municipal Taiwan Affairs Office, since the first Taiwan-funded company was established in 1989, over 3,000 such companies have been approved, with more than 1,000 currently in operation. Total investment has reached nearly $30 billion, with $10 billion in actual use. This represents about one-third of the province's total investment from Taiwan, making Ningbo the most concentrated area for Taiwan investment in Zhejiang.

Beyond investment, trade relations are equally robust. In 2023, Ningbo's total import and export volume with Taiwan reached 41.61 billion yuan, making Taiwan the sixth-largest source of imports for Ningbo and ranking eighth among the city's trading partners.

"Zhejiang and Ningbo have created a supportive business environment for young professionals to start businesses and find jobs. The area has attracted talent from various industries, including culture, services, and more," said Li Zhenghong, President of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland.

Chief Adviser: Zhao Qingchuan

Proofreader: Yan Yiran