BEIJING -- Taiwan natives would be entitled to the same health, education and housing rights as permanent Shanghai residents under draft legislation submitted yesterday.
Such measures would enhance economic exchanges between the city and the island, local legislative body the Shanghai People?s Congress heard.
Investors and employees from Taiwan, plus their spouses, children and parents, could have the same medical services as local permanent residents, under the proposed law.
Their children could also be enrolled at local public kindergartens, elementary and middle schools on the same basis as local students.
?The new law aims to encourage more Taiwan people to invest in the city and help enhance recognition of Taiwan people to China?s culture,? Li Wenhui, director of the Shanghai Taiwan Affairs Office told lawmakers.
Li said Shanghai has become a major gathering place for Taiwan business people.
The city did not give a figure for the number of people from Taiwan living in Shanghai.
Taiwan business people or employees would also be able to apply for affordable houses and take part in many kinds of social activities and community affairs, under the draft regulation to protect the investment rights of Taiwan people.
The city government has set up a fund for young entrepreneurs from Taiwan, lawmakers heard. No further details of the scheme were given.
Students from the island are also eligible for internship or training opportunities at all Shanghai universities.
Taiwan native David Yu, who came to the city in 2003 to study at the Shanghai International Studies University and now lives and works in the city, said the proposed law would mostly affect those thinking of coming to Shanghai.
?The new law could be a sign of welcome to Taiwan people who plan to come to the city, but would have limited impact on those already living here,? said Yu.
Yu told Shanghai Daily that many people from Taiwan already have access to city medical care and education.
?Many local hospitals accept medical insurance card issued in Taiwan and many Taiwan students already study at local schools and universities ? though admittedly tuition fees might be more expensive.
?What we care about most is whether these policies can actually be implemented. If they can be carried out smoothly, we will welcome them,? he added.
However, at the Shanghai People?s Congress some lawmakers argued that the new law would be unfair on people from elsewhere in China living in Shanghai, whose children cannot study at local public schools.
The draft law will now be subject to several rounds of evaluation by city lawmakers.
