A Taiwan maritime transportation firm signed a contract with a
local farm Tuesday to invest in an agricultural project in China's
southernmost province of Hainan.
According to the agreement, Chinese Maritime Transport (CMT)
will introduce selected crop seeds, planting technologies and
agricultural experts from Taiwan to the Bincunshan farm which is
run by returned overseas Chinese.
The project will cover 2,133 hectares of cropland in the farm
located in the east of the Hainan island, including a 800-hectare
sight-seeing farm to be built during the first phase of
construction to exhibit Taiwan breeds of flowers and fruits.
Upon completion, the project will become the largest farming
area that Taiwan companies have ever invested in the Chinese
mainland.
John Y. K. Peng, chairman of the Taipei-headquartered firm, told
Xinhua that although agriculture was not a specialty of CMT, the
company's main business logistic and transportation service will
help the farm establish a complete producing and sales chain.
CMT and its mainland partner have applied their cooperation to
the government of Hainan Province for approval, expecting the start
of the business in three months, Peng added.
Founded in Shanghai in 1946 by Mr. C. Y. Tung, CMT has become a
major world-wide transport and travel service provider.
(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2006)