Taiwan

Cross-Strait trade up 56% in first seven months

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-15 21:30

SHENYANG - Trade between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan totaled $81.91 billion?in the first seven months of the year, up 55.9 percent year on year, a mainland Taiwan affairs official said?on Wednesday.

Related readings:  Taiwan financial firms to seek mainland opportunities  Cross-Straits pact takes effect  Cross-Strait financial agencies step up cooperation

Sun Yafu, vice director of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said cross-Straits economic, cultural and people-to-people exchange has hit a level unparalleled for 60 years.

From January to July, the Chinese mainland approved more than 1,600 Taiwan investment projects worth $1.42 billion, a nearly 42 percent year-on-year increase, according to the official.

More than 50 mainland enterprises have invested $133 million in Taiwan since July last year, he said.

Amid warming ties, in December 2008, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan began direct air, sea and postal services.

The move greatly shortened cross-Straits travel times and boosted the efficiency of cross-Strait trade.

So far, 37 airports on the mainland and Taiwan operate 370 regular flights across the Strait every week.