Trade between China and Taiwan grows

In the first six months of 2006, the island registered a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. The World Trade Organisation has urged the two countries to strive for an even more open market.

Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Trade between Taiwan and China rose 15% in the first six months of 2006 – to 41 billion dollars – compared to the same period last year, the Board of Foreign Trade said today.

The figure accounts for 20.1%of Taiwan's total external trade during the period, compared with 19.4% a year earlier. These figures were compiled by Taipei and Hong Kong, where most of the exported goods are trans-shipped.

For January to June, Taiwan registered a trade surplus with China of 18.11 billion – up 10.5% – as exports rose 13.6% to nearly 30 billion dollars. Imports increased by 18.9% to 11.45 billion.

The World Trade Organisation has urged Taipei to adopt an "even more liberal" trade policy with China to stimulate growth and investment. Despite the close economic links between the two rivals, Taipei still bans the import of 2,200 Chinese products. For its part, Beijing tries to grant privileges to those Taiwanese who are less critical of its policies.

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