Politics Leave Taiwan Trade Ties UnfazedThe mainland hopes to improve economic relations with Taiwan under one-China principle, Tang Shubei, vice-director of the Taiwan Affairs Office under the State Council, said at a trade fair held lately in Guangdong Province.At the Guangdong-Taiwan Economic, Technological and Trade Exchange Fair, Tang said advances are possible in cross-Straits trade, transit, direct mail and technological co-operation. The fair was held in Dongguan, a city with the highest concentration of Taiwan business people in the mainland. More than 1,300 new Taiwan business people attended the fair with high hopes. These newcomers to Guangdong are mostly heads of big enterprises or representatives of industrial and economic associations in Taiwan. "The increasing number of people present indicates a surging interest in working together across the Straits regardless of political circumstance," said provincial Governor Lu Ruihua. He noted that Guangdong has perfected its business climate and that it is now working on fair legal processes to ensure fair competition. Over the past two decades, Guangdong has become a first choice for Taiwan businesses and the largest export market in the mainland. While much of the world grew nervous about cross-Straits tensions from January to May, Guangdong saw more increases in the capital inflow from Taiwan. Taiwan business people spent US$230 million in Guangdong in the first five months of 2000 and committed another US$229 million. Both figures were up more than 35 per cent over 1999. From January to April, imports from Taiwan to Guangdong grew by 20.18 per cent to US$4.34 billion, while the export value increased 7.45 per cent to US$532 million. |
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