Taiwanese investment on the Chinese mainland totaled US$1.734
billion during the first five months this year, up 43.69 percent
year on year, according to figures released by Taiwan authorities.
The investment, which was approved by Taiwan's so-called "Ministry
of Economic Affairs", involved 797 projects, a rise of 55.66
percent over the same period last year.
There were a total of 797 investment projects run by Taiwan
businessmen from January to May this year and, in May alone, 138
project ratified by Taiwan authorities involved nearly US$318
million, an increase of four percent over the previous month, when
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) swept both the Chinese
mainland and Taiwan.
Analysts said that the rapid increase in investment indicated
Taiwanese investors' confidence in the mainland's economic
prospects.
(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2003)