Chinese authorities granted approval to five additional ports to offer direct shipping links with Taiwan during a cross-strait direct shipping forum in Xiamen.
According to the Chinese Transport Ministry, the addition of Tongling, Shidao Laizhou, Taizhou Damaiyu and Ningbo-Zhoushan ports brings the total number of such approved ports to 68.
The new deal comes ahead of the Straits Forum, a week-long event aimed at strengthening business exchanges with Taiwan.
Xinhua reported that China has agreed to waive business and corporate income taxes for Taiwanese shippers on profit earned in the mainland from direct shipping. The exemption is effective from December 15.
Furthermore, Chinese authorities now plan on assisting Taiwanese shipping companies in setting up operations in China.
