China's Finance Ministry recently approved an exemption from taxes on some Taiwan trade transactions for the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, in Fujian province, which makes Pingtan the mainland's second free trade area for small Taiwan transactions, after Dadeng Island, off the city of Xiamen, Fujian Daily reported on March 28.

The tax-exemptions cover customs, added-value imports, and consumer iterms. Individuals can bring 6,000-yuan-worth ($965.4) of Taiwanese goods, per day, to the mainland via Pingtan customs.

Tax-free commodities include cereals, oil, foodstuffs, native produce, animal by-products, textiles and garments, crafts, light industrial products, and pharmaceuticals.

Fu Yongchong, an investment adviser with Datong Securities, said, "The new policy will drive the small trade market in Pingtan and attract more capital for the island's construction."

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Roger Bradshaw