Opportunities thrive at Fujian's Taiwan Town

The shelves still contain the products that first brought customers to Taiwan Town, including the sorghum-based liquor Kinmen Kaoliang and Taiwan snacks.

Chen has also been looking for new products, returning to Taiwan to meet suppliers and encouraging suitable businesses to complete the procedures needed to enter the mainland market.

She is planning to set up an area to feature tea from Taiwan's Sun Moon Lake, which will allow producers to explain Taiwan tea culture. A tea master can also demonstrate how the beverage is prepared.

The complex's improvements have given Chen the confidence to take more business risks. After Taiwan Town reopened, foot traffic at her store has doubled, creating an opportunity for her to bring a Shanghai hand-cream brand to Pingtan.

The cosmetics company normally chooses established pedestrian streets and mature scenic areas. However, through Chen's efforts, it has customized its products and packaging for the local market with images connected to Pingtan and Taiwan Town.

"If there had only been one duty-free store, I wouldn't have dared to bring in hand cream," Chen said. "After seeing the street open, we became confident and decided to invest."

In the early days, Chen's mother had worried that new businesses might divert customers from their own store.

Chen now believes that more businesses are needed to make the town work, even if some customers are shared. "Relying on just one duty-free store couldn't sustain Taiwan Town," she said.