Pingtan aims more than to become a "Common Homeland" for people from Fujian and Taiwan, but also a pioneer pilot zone with International norms, according to a senior official in Pingtan.

In a Sept 10 interview with people.com.cn – a website affiliated with People's Daily – Zhou Qingsong, deputy director of Pingtan's administration committee, said that Pingtan would strive to be a prototype of what China's development mode will be like,.

He elucidated a string of matters concerning Pingtan's development in the interview.

The Fujian Provincial People's Congress granted Pingtan administrative powers in early 2014, which is conducive to Pingtan's overall management and higher work efficiency.

As an island county on the eastern coast of Fujian and the closest place to Taiwan, Pingtan ought to make full use of its geographical advantages, said Zhou.

Pingtan boasts rich resources in ports, marine creatures, coastal tourism and clean energy, with a vast land – 160 square kilometers, which is near half of Pingtan's total size – available for development.

Together with Fuzhou, capital of Fujian, Pingtan will help boost the economy of northern Fujian, which has long been inferior to the southern part.

It has increased communications and cooperation with Taiwan in recent years. The Haixia, a high-speed roll-on roll-off passenger ferry, was launched three years ago and sails between Pingtan, Taichung and Taipei on a regular basis, with a single trip of around 2.5 hours.

One of Pingtan's goals is to become a place, or a "Common Homeland" as it is written in official documents, for people from across Taiwan Straits to collaborate, carry out new reforms and explore a scientific development mode, he said.

With the principles of "ecological, low-carbon, intelligent and opening-up", Pingtan will focus on the industries of high-tech, modern services, marine economy and tourism.

"Ultimately, Pingtan will build a modern, international, comprehensive pilot zone with an advanced mechanism, open policies, diversified cultures and economies," said Zhou.

He added that the mechanisms and systems of development will be basically established in 2015. And the industrial system and the "Common Homeland" are slated to be completed by 2020.