Xiapu is at the midpoint of China's golden coastline, across the Straits from Taiwan. Sharing the same customs and dialects with Taiwan, Xiapu enjoys favorable consideration from the central government in commercial and cultural interactions between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

Covering 29,800 sq km of sea area, Xiapu boasts the greatest potential for building harbors among all coastal counties in China, with 480 km of coastline, of which 61 km are deepwater coastline suitable for 61 quay berths of 200,000 to 500,000 tons.

Famous for its kelp, nori and large yellow croaker, Xiapu produces 350,000 tons of aquatic products annually from 700 kinds of fish.

It's sandy beaches, islands and peninsula draw over 200,000 people and photographers from home and abroad each year.

The expressway from Shenyang to Haikou and rapid transit railway from Wenzhou to Fuzhou connect Xiapu to the national traffic network.

It takes only 50 minutes to go to Fuzhou, the provincial capital of Fujian, and Shanghai is only 3.5 hours away from Xiapu. An extension project for the Xiapu airport will be started in late 2010.

Once it is completed, Xiapu will have a comprehensive traffic system of air, water and land, tying it into the economic zone across Taiwan Straits

Xiapu has reserved the best ecological environment, the greatest coastline resources and the largest space for further development in Chinese coastal counties.

After the State Council showed its support to develop the western coast of the Straits last year, Xiapu county government upgraded the plan of Xiapu county and clearly defined the positioning and layout of industries within the county.

The new plan featuring "one principle axis and four plates" will effectively integrate urban and rural areas in sustainable development.

The principle axis refers to a new town with two main streets Songcheng and Songgang, around which the downtown area will be extended to the coastline at the southeast.

The new town will cover nearly 50 sq km and be constructed as an environmentally friendly coastal town.

The plate of the Xinan Peninsula includes three towns, Xinan, Shajiang and Yantian, which will be built as a petrochemical industry base.

The area of this plate will reach 20 sq km in 2015 and 40 sq km in 2020 as a modern coastal development zone for heavy chemical industry and a mature manufacturing off the west coast of the Taiwan Straits.

The plate of the Dongchong Peninsula consists of four towns, Changchun, Xiahu, Beibi and Haidao.

The inner bay area will be designated as a base of ship building and repair, and harbor logistics.

The outer bay area will be constructed as an ecological ocean tourist resort and international conference center.

A pilot project of tourist economic development will be planned on this plate as well.

The plate of Sansha Harbor is made up of three towns, Sansha, Yacheng, Shuimen. The Shuimen civil airport, a scenic spot of Yanjiaxi, an economy and trade business district for Taiwan at Sansha, a collection and distribution center for aquatic Taiwan foods, and a tourist island for the Taiwan Straits will be constructed on this plate, extending the pilot cooperation in culture, tourism, economy and trade across the Straits.

The plate with the mountainous backyard garden area includes two towns, Chongru, Boyang and the northern area of Yantian town.

As a valuable water source of Xiapu, this plate will focus on quality, tourist and brand agriculture. A beautiful ecological backyard garden of Xiapu will appear soon.

A new round of fast development has just begun for Xiapu.

China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) is investing 470 billion yuan in Ningde Industrial Park off the West of Taiwan Straits in Xinan Peninsula.

In the first stage of the project, 10 million cubic meters of crude oil storage and LGN program of 2.6 million tons was started last December with 23 billion yuan in investment.

The Funing Bay Nuclear Power Station project funded by China Huaneng Group (CHNG) with an overall investment of 100 billion yuan has already selected its construction site.

The project is right in the middle of its feasibility research. Chinese Academy of Carrier Rocket Technology, Fujian Investment & Enterprises Corporation Chinese Academy of Carrier Rocket Technology and Fujian Mindong Electric Power Limited Company have started the construction of a national model base for offshore wind power generation with a total capacity of 2 million kilowatts from the 50 billion yuan of joint investment.

The other projects located in Xiapu include the China Geographical Prospecting Instrument Research and Development Center and Production Base with a 200-million yuan joint investment from Liu Guangding, an academic with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and his investors; Iron Ore Logistics Park of Xiapu and mating harbor project of 300,000 tonnages with $500-million investment from Jalical Mining (Holding) Limited of the US; and the Wal-Mart City Synthesis project with a 500 million yuan investment from Wal-Mart introduced by Oriental Great Achievement (China) Holding Co, Ltd. In addition, an offshore equipment manufacturing project funded by Shenwang Shipping Heavy Industry and C& Heavy Industry Group of South Korea with a 150-million yuan investment and a 38-production line project from Bond Synthetic Leather Company have already been started.