Cross-Straits trade up 34.8 pct in H1

Trade between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan totaled $101.14 billion in the first half, up 34.8 percent from the same period last year, according to figures from the Ministry of Commerce.

The mainland's exports to Taiwan from January to June were worth $21.01 billion, up 27.4 percent year on year, while its imports from the island stood at $80.12 billion, an increase of 36.9 percent year on year, ministry figures showed.

Cross-Straits trade in June was worth $14.17 billion, down 12.7 percent from the previous month.

During the first half, the mainland approved 983 Taiwanese investment projects, down 10 percent year on year. The actual use of investment reached $1.26 billion, down 22 percent year on year.

As of June 2013, the mainland had approved 88,984 Taiwanese investment projects with a cumulative investment of $58.31 billion, accounting for 4.4 percent of the total investment the mainland has attracted from outside.

Taiwan is the mainland's fourth-biggest import source and seventh-biggest trade partner, according to the ministry.