BOAO, Hainan: Beijing yesterday unveiled a new policy package to benefit Taiwan farmers in a major effort to promote cross-Straits agricultural co-operation.

Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, announced the package at the closing ceremony of the one-day Cross-Straits Agricultural Co-operation Forum.

The comprehensive package is comprised of 20 preferential policies formulated by Chen's office and another 10 central government departments.

Under the policies, Taiwan investors will enjoy tax incentives, financial support, preferential land use as well as simplified approval and registration procedures for their agricultural businesses on the mainland.

To encourage more agricultural investment from Taiwan, the mainland will set up three more cross-Straits agricultural co-operation pilot zones in Shanghai and Jiangsu Province, and another two development parks for Taiwan farmers in Sichuan Province and Chongqing.

Provincial governments on the mainland will offer a "green corridor" transportation service for fresh agricultural goods from Taiwan to reduce their transport costs, according to the policies.

Mainland authorities also vowed to crack down hard on fake Taiwan fruits and piracy and counterfeiting to better protect the intellectual property rights of Taiwan producers and sellers.

The goodwill gesture "will play a positive role in improving the wellbeing of compatriots on both sides, especially farmers," Chen said.

He stressed that the mainland will earnestly implement its solemn commitments to Taiwan compatriots no matter what the circumstances.

Since last May, Beijing has taken a number of goodwill gestures towards Taiwan farmers, including tariff-free imports of about 30 varieties of Taiwan-grown fruits, vegetables and aquatic products.

At a press conference after the announcement, former Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan spoke highly of the mainland's preferential policies towards Taiwan farmers.

These policies and measures "have brought substantial help to Taiwan's farmers and agriculture," he told reporters

Lien added that the achievements of the forum would help "turn over a new page" in cross-Straits agricultural co-operation.