At the conclusion of an inspection tour on Monday, China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin said he wants to speed up the building of an economic zone in Fujian Province on the western side of the Taiwan Straits.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body, said the economic zone was conducive to promoting development of areas with comparatively heavy Taiwan investment. It would also enhance exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan.

Facing Taiwan on the other side of the Straits, Fujian sees frequent business exchanges with the island. The State Council issued a document in early May which supported Fujian's construction of an economic zone on the western side of the Taiwan Straits.

During his visits with Taiwan businesses in Fujian, Jia said the province could "make bold attempts" to implement the document and expand mutual investment and cooperation in agriculture, finance, tourism and infrastructure construction.

Jia also stressed the significance of developing "towns" as they play an important role in expanding the domestic market, especially the rural market, facilitating employment of migrant workers, and channeling capital, talent, technologies and information to flow from cities to the countryside.

He also said investment from all social sectors should be expanded as the country strives to expand domestic demand.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2009)