The Association of Economy and Trade across the Taiwan Straits, in the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province announced the opening of a maritime economic cooperation commission, on Dec 8, for cross-Straits cooperation in the maritime economy.

The association, which was founded on Jan 1, 2004, is one of the most influential organizations pushing trade and economic cooperation across the Straits. The maritime economic cooperation arm, as a special commission AETATS has set up in Qingdao, will be guided by the Qingdao municipal government, for resource and technological cooperation in marine development and a maritime economic cooperation site, port improvements, shipping and logistics and marine environmental protection.

The commission will work with Taiwan's business associations and enterprises in ocean industrial development and have regular exchanges. It is also planning an advisory committee to promote exchanges among experts and consultancies across the Straits and will organize enterprises on the mainland to take part in exhibitions, forums, seminars and trade fairs in Taiwan, to help enterprises on both sides of the Straits find business opportunities.