ECFA greatly benefits people across Strait: spokesman

A mainland spokesman said Wednesday remarkable achievement had been made since the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) was signed in 2010.

Ma Xiaoguang of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council made the remarks when asked to comment on the ECFA's five year development.

Ma said ECFA has brought about tangible benefits to compatriots from both the mainland and Taiwan. The ECFA promoted cross-Strait investment, trade, industry and customs cooperation, and made it convenient for trade associations to set up offices on each other's side.

As of the end of March, the mainland side had offered tariff exemptions totaling 14.1 billion yuan (2.3 billion U.S. dollars) on Taiwan's merchandise, while Taiwan have given tariff reductions of 240 million U.S. dollars on mainland goods.

Ma said he hoped that both parties would fully implement all agreements under the ECFA, while completing negotiations on follow-up agreements as soon as possible, including the service trade pact.

Ma also called for enhanced communication across the Strait to facilitate industrial cooperation and economic integration between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. Endi