The temporary provisions were jointly issued by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the Ministry of Civil Affairs, in light of a state law to protect investments of Taiwanese compatriots and an administrative regulation on the registration of associations.

The provisions, which come into force on April 20, 2003, have 21 articles involving the nature, purpose, business scope, approval procedure, activities, source and use of funds of the Taiwanese business associations, an official source said.

Since the first Taiwanese business association was set up in Beijing in 1990, a total of 69 have been established in 22 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities throughout the country, with almost 20,000 members or about one third of the total on the Chinese mainland.

The associations have for many years conducted activities under the relevant state laws, regulations and policies, and helped promote economic exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits, said the source.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2003)