The Chinese mainland has set up 6 new cross-straits exchange centers in addition to 43 existing ones, to facilitate greater cooperation with Taiwan.

An Fengshan, spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan affairs office. [File Photo: Taiwan.cn]

An Fengshan, spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan affairs office, says they will promote small-scale trade as part of cross-straits economic exchanges.

"The small-scale trade to Taiwan is a beneficial supplement in the overall cross-Straits trade and it has played an important role in promoting the direct links of cross-Straits trade for a long time. Currently, characterized by rapidness and convenience, small-scale trade is still playing a unique and positive role in promoting the cross-Straits trade of agricultural and fisheries produce, serving production and operations for Taiwan-invested companies on the Chinese mainland and facilitating communication between the two sides."

An Fengshan also says the exchange centers will allow people from both sides to review history, culture, family ties and seek further developments.

According to An, a Kuomintang Party youth-wing delegation will visit the mainland next week to discuss cross-Strait exchanges.

During the tour, the delegation is expected to meet with Zhang Zhijun, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

At the news conference, the spokesman was also asked about the recent sharp drop in the number of mainland tourists to Taiwan.

An said the phenomenon is a normal result of market forces.

"As we all know, the political situation in Taiwan and the relations across the Straits have changed since this year, which increased worries among mainland companies and tourists. That has decreased willingness of mainland tourists to travel to Taiwan. That is mainly a change in market behavior. We have never set any traveling quota to Taiwan on our tourists. The quota, if any, is only set by Taiwan unilaterally."

Some Taiwan media are forecasting there would be even fewer mainland tourists to Taiwan after July.

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