Cross-Straits trade totals $554 b

BEIJING - Trade between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan grew to 554.27 billion U.S. dollars in October from December 2008 when the two sides opened direct mail, transport and trade links, the latest customs figures have shown.

During the period, the Chinese mainland's imports from Taiwan totaled 438.4 billion U.S. dollars, while its exports to Taiwan reached 115.87 billion U.S. dollars, figures from the General Administration of Customs showed.

The Chinese mainland approved 87,000 Taiwanese-funded programs and received 56.53 billion U.S. dollars in Taiwanese investments from December 2008 to October 2012, the figures showed.

In the smae period, 133 enterprises from the Chinese mainland set up subsidiaries or offices in Taiwan, with total investment reaching 722 million U.S. dollars.