Tension may hurt Taiwan
Justin Mo, 25, who owns the Sanyou Duty Free Shop in Pingtan, said Beijing and Taipei should not quarrel or fight, as business development needs a stable environment.
Taiwan's political parties should not play cross-Straits relations "as a card" to cater to a small group of people, as this could harm the island's economy, he said.
Ho Hsi-hao, chairman of the Taiwan Business Association in Zhangzhou, Fujian, said Tsai has promised to maintain the status quo.
"We hope that she won't worsen cross-Straits relations, as this will not be in Taiwan's interests," Ho said.
Although Tsai won the election in January, her support came mainly from her core constituency. If she keeps cross-Straits relations on good terms, Taiwan merchants will support her re-election. If not, "we will be forced to go back and oppose her", Ho said.
Asked how Taiwan businesses on the mainland may be jeopardized by any tension that arises after Tsai takes office, Ho said the impact will be limited.
Taiwan and its residents will bear the brunt of any tension, he said, citing the recent decline in mainland tourists visiting the island as an example. "The mainland is still an important market," he added.
Chiang Pin-kung, former chairman of the Taipei-based Straits Exchange Foundation, advised the new government to maintain social harmony for both sides. It should sign the cross-Straits pact on trade in goods as soon as possible, he added.
Nien, the Taiwan businessman who worked on the mainland from 1999 to 2010, said there might be uncertainties arising from the island's political transition, but the direction of peaceful development will not be changed.
He has moved his family — including his son who is in primary school and his daughter who is in kindergarten — from Kaohsiung in Taiwan to Pingtan. Nien believes it is the right choice for his family to invest and live on the mainland.
"I have made up my mind to strive for my future on the mainland for at least another 10 years," he said.
