Two trainees from Taiwan, representing a group of 39 peers, received seafarer certificates from the Xiamen Maritime Affairs Bureau on Jan 19 at the Xiamen Free Trade Zone in Xiamen, Fujian province.

Over 100 youths from Taiwan have completed the joint cross-Strait international cruise crew training program and obtained seafarer certificates in Xiamen.

The bureau and the FTZ administration committee co-organized the program with Jimei University, Xiamen Ocean Vocational College, Xiamen Seafarer Training Center and Xiamen Seafarer Dispatch Agency.

The program aims to provide a comprehensive service for youths from Taiwan, allowing them to receive training on the Chinese mainland, obtain mainland seafarer competency certificates, and be deployed for work by mainland seafarer dispatch companies.

"Since the initiation of the joint training program for cruise crew members from both sides of the Taiwan Strait in June last year, we have completed five training sessions, issuing over 100 relevant seafarer certificates to youths from Taiwan, facilitating their engagement in cruise crew work," said Wei Dong, deputy director of the seafarer management division of the Xiamen Maritime Affairs Bureau.

Exploring new paths for cross-Strait integration and development is the special mission of the Xiamen FTZ, said Zhang Huiqiong, director of the planning and construction bureau of the Xiamen FTZ administration committee.

"We have introduced several measures to support and encourage Taiwan compatriots to come to Xiamen for crew training and certificate application, effectively promoting the participation of youths from Taiwan in crew training and creating better conditions for their study, employment, and life in Xiamen," said Zhang.