News from the Ministry of Commerce says trade volume between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits reached $41.08 billion in the first six months of 2005, increasing by 12.5 percent year on year.

Statistics show that during the first half year the mainland exported $7.75 billion worth of goods to Taiwan, up 28.8 percent year on year and imported $33.33 billion, increasing by 9.3 percent. The mainland had a trade deficit of $25.58 billion.

The mainland approved a total of 1,840 Taiwan-invested projects during the same period, down 9.76 percent over the same period of last year. Contracted Taiwan investment stood at $4.77 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3.76 percent while Taiwan investment in place reached $1.18 billion, down by 22.31 percent year on year.

By the end of June the mainland has approved 66.028 projects funded by Taiwan investment with actually used Taiwan investment of $40.78 billion.

By People's Daily Online