Taiwan's Investment Commission has approved an application by Shanghai Airlines to set up a branch office on the island.

The approval will also allow other Mainland airlines that have direct flights to Taiwan, to set up branch offices on the island. Shanghai Airlines paid 1 million New Taiwan Dollars with the application. It will cover the costs of upgrading a previous office into a branch company.

8 other Mainland airlines that were approved, have invested over 13 million New Taiwan Dollars in the island's airline industry.

The Taiwan Investment Commission approved investments from the Mainland back in June. It says total investments have reached over 35 million New Taiwan Dollars.

(CCTV September 18, 2009)