Cross-Straits liners carry 40,000 passengers in 2013

BEIJING - A mainland spokeswoman said on Wednesday that more than 40,000 cross-Straits passengers travelled on 23 cruise liners in 2013.

At a press conference, Fan Liqing, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that since direct shipping links between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait began in 2008, a total of nine sea passenger routes have been created. In 2012, the routes transported more than 1.66 million passengers.

"The mainland supports the development of cross-Straits sea trips to provide more comfort and convenience with higher speed," Fan said.

Fan said that the mainland civil aircraft department is making efforts to increase the number of cross-Straits flights during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday season in 2014 so as to meet the demands from both sides.

"Civil aircraft authorities across the Strait are in negotiations, and the decision will soon be announced," she added.

Taiwan economic authorities recently said that it will tighten scrutiny over mainland enterprises in Taiwan.

In response, Fan said that investment by mainland companies has had a ?positive influence on Taiwan's economy and employment.

She expressed hope that Taiwan's relevant authorities will eliminate unfair treatment to mainland enterprises in accordance with cross-Straits agreements on investment protection and promotion.