When Yang Chi-wei took over his father's food processing factory in Quanzhou, Fujian, 12 years ago, he didn't just inherit a business—he stepped into a dynamic cross-strait landscape. His story reflects a growing trend: second-generation entrepreneurs from the Taiwan region carving paths in the Chinese mainland. But what does it take to thrive?
🧩 The Challenge Playbook: Young Taiwan entrepreneurs face hurdles like adapting to local consumer preferences, navigating supply chain shifts, and balancing innovation with tradition. Yang recalls nights tweaking recipes to suit mainland tastes: 'It wasn't just about spices—it was about cultural resonance.'
💡 Secrets to Success: Those who flourish often blend tech-savvy agility with deep-rooted cross-strait networks. Many leverage platforms like Douyin (China's TikTok) to market products, while tapping family ties for supply chain trust. As one Fujian-based investor puts it: 'They're bilingual in tradition and disruption.'
🤝 Fujian's 'Home Advantage': With shared dialects and cultural ties, the province has become a magnet for Taiwan talent. Over 3,800 Taiwan-owned businesses now operate here, per local data, drawn by policies supporting cross-strait collaboration in sectors from agriculture to AI.
🚀 What's Next? Yang's factory now exports organic snacks to 15 countries. His advice? 'Respect the soil you grow in.' As mainland markets evolve, the next-gen Taiwan entrepreneurs are betting on sustainability and smart tech—proving that cross-strait biz is no zero-sum game.
