Trade between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan hit US$66.17 billion in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year rise of 12.6 percent, according to latest statistics from the Ministry of Commerce.

Mainland exports to Taiwan reached US$13.16 billion from January to July, up 17.4 percent compared with the same period last year, and imports totaled US$53.01 billion, up 11.5 percent, revealed the statistics.

The mainland also approved 1,956 Taiwan-funded projects in the seven months, with the funds actually used up to US$830 million.

By July, the mainland had attracted US$44.73 billion of direct investment from Taiwan, making the island its fifth largest investor.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29 2007)