The Pingtan (Taiwan) Aiwei stomatological hospital started operation in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, Fujian province on Jan 8. It is the first medical institution with a Taiwan origin in the zone.

The hospital is a joint venture of the Zhongfu Straits (Pingtan) Development Co and Taiwan's Zheng Yang Biomedical Technology Co.

It specializes in dental implants, orthodontics, oral disease treatment and dental cosmetics, said its director, Li Yuanrui.

To ensure the hospital will develop better in Pingtan, local authorities granted it a Practicing License of Medical Institution. Its two Taiwan dental experts were also given mainland's certificates as licensed practitioners.

Li?added that the hospital will provide locals with advanced medical equipment and top dental treatment services, on the basis of the local government's strong support.

Local authorities explained that having such a company in Pingtan was a huge progress in the county's medical and health system. It resulted from the county's status as an experimental area for cross-Straits cooperation and its plan to promote medical exchanges across the Straits.

The authorities added that they will make efforts to have more such hospitals and attract more top medical professionals from Taiwan.

In addition, eligible Taiwan medical institutions are allowed to open branches in Pingtan, and Taiwan licensed practitioners can set up private clinics there.