Imports rise

IMPORTS by China's mainland of duty-free farm produce from Taiwan grew 177 percent between December 15 and mid-February to 2,635 tons from the same period a year earlier, reflecting the policy of "three direct links," statistics released yesterday showed.

The General Administration of Customs said the goods were valued at US$2.78 million, up about 80 percent. The customs tariffs that would have been charged totaled 3.23 million yuan (US$0.5 million).