On October 25, Lin Jianxiong, a resident from Matsu, applied for and received the “Fuma Tongchengtong” financial card at the Fujian Strait Bank’s Fuzhou Minjiang branch, which caters specifically to Taiwanese individuals and enterprises. “This small card brings us a lot of convenience and quick services,” he remarked.
That day marked the launch of the “Fuma Tongchengtong” financial card, allowing residents from Matsu to obtain it through a one-stop service at either the Fujian Strait Bank’s Fuzhou Minjiang branch or the Fuzhou Guangda branch. Additionally, they can apply for the card at service points located at Huangqi Pier and Langqi Pier or through online channels.
The initiative to support deeper integration and development between Fuzhou and Matsu was emphasized in the opinion released by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council in September last year. This plan aimed to create a “shared living circle” between Fuzhou and Matsu.
In March of this year, Fuzhou officially launched the “Fuma Tongchengtong” card for residents from Matsu, which provides various benefits in areas like transportation, tourism, education, and housing. In May, Fuzhou announced ten additional measures to further enhance the “shared living circle,” making it easier for residents to apply for the card, while also expanding online application channels and promoting equal access to basic public services.
Lin Jianxiong, who has lived and worked in Fuzhou for ten years in the textile export trade, stated, “Fuzhou is just a river away from Matsu, and we share the same language and climate, making travel very convenient.” He added that previously, the “Fuma Tongchengtong” card allowed him to benefit from discounts on public transport, and now it provides him with easier access to loans.
Chen Yan, the General Manager of the Retail Finance Department at Fujian Strait Bank, explained that in addition to the original benefits of the “Fuma Tongchengtong” card, the newly launched financial card includes enhanced financial services. This encompasses a comprehensive suite of offerings such as wealth management, personal loans, New Taiwan Dollar exchanges, salary remittances, transfers and withdrawals, utility payments, online payments, and cardholder benefits. These features aim to help Matsu residents integrate better into the “shared living circle” and enjoy the conveniences brought by technological advancements.
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