Cross-Straits trade volume reaches $197.2b in 2013

BEIJING - The trade volume between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan reached $197.2 billion last year, marking a 16.7 percent jump year on year, a mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.

Taiwan's trade surplus to the mainland reached $116 billion in 2013, and the mainland approved 1,804 investment projects from Taiwan to invest on the mainland, with $1.89 billion of total investment, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a regular press conference.

In 2013, 50 mainland companies invested $117 million in Taiwan, according to Ma.

Since mainland enterprises were first allowed to invest on the island in 2009, they have invested about $1.03 billion in 193 projects, Ma said.

Flights between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan increased from 616 to 670 per week in 2013, said Ma, adding that another 828 such flights will be added.