A spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said Wednesday that the mainland has taken effective measures to help Taiwan farmers to sell fruits on the mainland.

The spokesman, Li Weiyi, said at a regular news briefing that more than 400 tons of fruits have been imported to the mainland from Taiwan during the July-August period.

Taiwan farmers are actively exploring the mainland market, he said.

The Chinese mainland has exempted import tariffs on 15 kinds of fruits from Taiwan. The mainland also offers convenience for the import and quarantine of farm produce from Taiwan, said Li.

Various exhibitions and trade talks have been held to promote Taiwan fruits and other farm produce on the mainland market, said Li.

So far, high-quality Taiwan fruits have entered the markets of many large and medium-sized cities on the mainland including Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen and Ningbo, according to Li.

He said that relevant departments of the mainland will conduct investigation on the import and sales of Taiwan fruits and strengthen promotion efforts to help expand marketing channels.

In addition, the mainland will also crack down on fake "Taiwan fruits" and standardize the zero-tariff policy for Taiwn fruits, Li added.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2005)