TRADE between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan totaled US$81.91 billion in the first seven months of this year, up 55.9 percent year on year, a mainland official of Taiwan affairs said in Shenyang yesterday.

Sun Yafu, vice director of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said cross-Strait economic, cultural and people-to-people exchange has hit a level unparalleled for 60 years.

From January to July, the Chinese mainland approved more than 1,600 Taiwan investment projects worth US$1.42 billion, a nearly 42 percent increase on an annual basis, Sun said.

More than 50 mainland enterprises have invested US$133 million in Taiwan since July last year, according to Sun.

Amid warming ties, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan began direct air, sea and postal services in December 2008.