[Photo provided to China Daily]

A total of 288 companies - covering more than a dozen businesses in industries such as real estate and landscaping and including 12 Taiwan companies – have become members of a new construction industry association which was launched in the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone of Fujian province on August 8.

An official with the association said that "it meets the demands of a fast-growing Pingtan" where the construction industry is the top contributor of the zone's economy, and it is expected to "make up for the losses due to the long absence of a management body."

The association will serve as a coordinator between government authorities and member companies – and officials hope it will help improve efficiency.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman