China
Taiwan to invest in harbors, highway construction on mainland
WATCH VIDEO
Source: CCTV.com | 05-30-2007 15:24
Special Report: 3rd Cross-Strait Forum |
Taiwan companies will soon be able to invest in harbors and highway construction on the mainland. It's part of mainland authorities' latest policies to boost cross-Straits transportation.
At a news conference held in Beijing Wednesday morning, officials from the Ministry of Communications also urged Taiwan authorities to treat mainland businesses equally.
These new measures were first announced at this year's cross-Straits Economic and Cultural Forum in April. Authorities explain, the development of cross-Straits trade has come to a point where the mainland shipping sector can open up further to Taiwan businesses.
Authorities said last year, mainland harbors handled nearly 5.7 billion tons of cargo. Taiwan companies are now being encouraged to participate in the mainland's effort to upgrade its ports and invest in building new harbors. Taiwan companies can also set up joint-ventures to run the harbors.
Mainland authorities say Taiwan shipping companies will also be able to set up branches on the mainland. They can be involved in container services, cargo storage as well as international shipping management. And there's good news for companies running the ferry routes linking the port city of Xiamen with Kinmen as well as Matsu in Taiwan their revenue will be tax free. Mainland authorities are urging their Taiwan counterpart to cooperate.
Song Dexing, shipping director China's Ministry of Communications, said, "We have repeatedly urged Taiwan authorities to open Taiwan's shipping market to mainland companies and allow shipping companies of the two sides to set up agencies. But so far, these have been no responses from them yet."
During the news conference, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, Li Weiyi, criticized secessionists from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party. He says their attempts to revise the constitution and instigate a referendum on Taiwan independence are putting a strain on cross-Straits ties. He has stressed the mainland will not tolerate any Taiwan independence movement.
Editor:Du Xiaodan
