Taiwan-China trade soars

Investments and travel links steadily increase despite lack of formal ties.

CHINA TOY SHOP--china economy, trade, toy shop. Al Jazeera
Taiwan says its businesses have invested $100 bn in China since the early 1990s
Yang Yi, a spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, also advised the island’s government against seeking independence by pretending to pursue constitutional reforms.
 
“The year 2007 is a crucial period for opposing ‘Taiwan Independence’ and safeguarding peace across the Taiwan Strait,” he said on Wednesday.
 
He warned of strained relations this year “as Taiwan authorities’ efforts to seek de jure independence through the so-called constitutional reform may enter into a substantive stage”.
 
“We will make utmost efforts to seek the prospect of peaceful reunification with our maximum sincerity. We cannot tolerate ‘Taiwan independence’ and cannot allow any people to secede Taiwan from China by any means,” Yang said.
 
Increased travel
 
No figures were provided on the total Taiwanese investment in China to date, but the island’s government said its companies have invested more than $100 bn since the early 1990s.
 
Not only are the commercial ties between China and Taiwan booming but travel has also increased even though most tourists and business people are required to go via Hong Kong or a foreign country.
 
On Monday, Taiwan announced that six airlines each from Taiwan and China will run 96 round-trip charter flights during the forthcoming Chinese New Year holiday period.
Source: News Agencies