A workshop of Want Want Group is pictured in Jinan, Shandong province, Sept 13. [Photo by Liu Xiuhong/chinadaily.com.cn]

Taiwan-based firms have flocked to Jinan, capital of East China's Shandong province in recent years, thanks to the city's attractive and welcoming business environment. 

One of the most high-profile companies is Want Want Group, Taiwan's largest producer of rice cakes, which established a facility in the Taiwan Industrial Park in 2002 -- the city's first company from Taiwan. 

Over the past 16 years, the group has gradually expanded its investment and operations in Jinan, and its Shandong facility is now the group's largest on the Chinese mainland. 

But Want Want Group is not the only major player from Taiwan -- food giants Uni-President and Kangshifu are also based in the park.

In 2016, Uni-President invested 360 million yuan ($52.4 million) to roll out a logistics program in Shandong province, with the program going live last year.

Statistics reveal that there are 60 Taiwan-based firms in the industrial park -- the largest number in Shandong, with total output reaching nearly 10 billion yuan, playing an important role in the local economy. 

In order to continue to attract businesses, the industrial park's management has developed new infrastructure, and improved education and leisure facilities. 

Drinks produced by Want Want Group. [Photo by Liu Xiuhong/chinadaily.com.cn]