China's TV makers plan Taiwan shopping spree: report

A delegation of Chinese television makers is heading to Taiwan to buy five billion US dollars' worth of components, part of Beijing's efforts to boost the island's economy, a report said Sunday.

The delegation will include representatives from television manufacturers Haier, TCL Corp, Changhong Corp and Konka, the Economic Daily News reported, without identifying its source.

The buying mission will be one of several sent to Taiwan by China to help boost the island's exports, and Taiwanese trade officials say at least one or two such missions visit the island every month.

Last year a similar delegation bought more than three billion US dollars' worth of flat screens and other components, at least 800 million more than the target set ahead of their arrival, the Economic Daily News reported.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, although the island has been self-governed since the end of their civil war in 1949.

But ties have warmed since the China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou administration took office in 2008, with the two sides signing agreements that have led to regular direct flights, increased investment opportunities and a tourist boom.

Taiwan's export orders from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong combined hit a record high of 9.82 billion US dollars in April, a significant rise of 40.7 percent year-on-year, the economic ministry said last week.

(c) 2010 AFP