The Ministry of Agriculture held a press conference at the China Agro Trade Fair in Beijing yesterday, saying that the Chinese mainland imported 400 metric tons of Taiwan-produced fruits in July and August.

He Ziyang, a ministry official, said the Chinese mainland has exempted import tariffs on 15 kinds of fruit from Taiwan, and offers easy import and quarantine for the island's farm produce.

Various exhibitions and discussions have been held to promote Taiwan fruit and other farm produce on the mainland market, said He.

So far, high-quality Taiwan fruit have entered the markets of many large and medium-sized cities on the mainland, including Beijing and Shanghai, he said, adding that new ways for promotion efforts to be strengthened would also be investigated.

The fair, held from October 17 to 21, has attracted over 40 companies from Taiwan, bringing more than 20 kinds of fruit and more than 200 kinds of other farm produce.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2005)