At approximately 3:00 PM on December 31, 2023, in Zhuangchen Industrial Park, Lianjiang County, 100,000 bottles of Taiwan Kaoliang Liquor were being packed and shipped to the United States from Fuzhou Jiangyin Port Area. Forty days later, these fine spirits would bring a touch of "Chinese aroma" and "nostalgic flavor" to dining tables across the ocean. This milestone marked that exports of "Lianjiang-produced" Taiwan Kaoliang Liquor exceeded 1 million bottles in 2023, with an output value surpassing 100 million RMB, ushering in a new chapter for cross-Strait cooperative liquor-making.

Following the scent of liquor, reporters entered Zhuangchen Industrial Park in Lianjiang County. In the brewing workshop, several fermentation tanks stood quietly—no workers were visible on-site. Lin Zhuohua, Chairman of Zhuangchen Group, explained that this fully automated brewing system could produce 600 tons of liquor per batch: "A workshop that once required over 20 workers now only needs one or two operators proficient in the system." In contrast to the "tranquility" of the brewing workshop, the adjacent packaging and shipping warehouse buzzed with activity. Workers and forklifts moved back and forth as batches of "Lianjiang-produced" Taiwan Kaoliang Liquor departed for markets at home and abroad.

Between the stillness and dynamism, reporters felt the "pulse" of cross-Strait industrial cooperation, and the vision of "cross-Strait collaboration in brewing a single pot of liquor" became clear through Lin Zhuohua's narration.

Fuzhou and Taiwan are separated by a narrow strip of water, with a long-standing and profound relationship. On this side of the strait, Lin Zhuohua—a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor—has dedicated himself to deciphering the "core code" of liquor aroma, perfecting his signature sweet potato liquor into a "nostalgic drink" cherished by compatriots on both sides of the strait and overseas Chinese. On the other side, Taiwan Kaoliang Liquor adheres to traditional solid-state fermentation techniques using pure grains, boasting a mellow, smooth taste with a lingering finish. A sip evokes the fragrance of the earth amidst fresh mist, making it a prominent tourist souvenir of Taiwan.

With Zhuangchen's liquors renowned at home and abroad and Taiwan Kaoliang Liquor enjoying widespread acclaim, could cross-Strait collaboration create a 1+1>2 effect, blending the deep emotions of both sides through liquor? The opportunity for cooperation emerged in 2011, when Lin Zhuohua and Taiwanese businessman Wei Meifeng co-founded a cross-Strait joint venture to produce Taiwan Kaoliang Liquor. However, the project was temporarily shelved due to investment plan adjustments. It was not until 2022, with the promotion of the Lianjiang County Party Committee and Government, that the Taiwan Kaoliang Liquor project was restarted.

Among numerous distilleries on the mainland, why choose to "join hands" with Lianjiang? "Lianjiang's climate and soil are similar to Taiwan's. Additionally, fine liquor requires premium water—and Lianjiang is endowed with abundant, high-quality water resources, ideal for brewing high-grade Kaoliang Liquor. We exported 99 containers of products in the first year of restarting the project," Wei Meifeng stated. "Cross-Strait liquor cultures share the same origin. Transplanting Taiwan's Kaoliang Liquor craftsmanship to Lianjiang was a correct choice. More importantly, the mainland has introduced a series of preferential policies for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises in recent years, promoting exchanges and closer ties between compatriots on both sides."

"Cross-Strait integrated development is happening at the right time. We plan to conduct in-depth cooperation with Zhuangchen to better access the mainland and overseas markets, building a win-win platform for exchange and trade between cross-Strait enterprises," said Wang Zhongming, Magistrate of Matsu County, who led a delegation to visit Lianjiang half a month ago and reached this consensus during discussions with Lin Zhuohua.

"I believe that soon, the strong sentiment of hometown and the mellow aroma of liquor will spread from Lianjiang to the world once again. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will raise their glasses together to toast a 'reunion liquor,'" Lin Zhuohua said.

Source: Fuzhou News Network Author Affiliation: Fuzhou Daily Responsible Editors: Yi Ningqian, Lin Weijia, Weng Yiling