Foreign media round up

With Michael Turton's recent blogging break announced, it's important to bring in some foreign media pieces.

Bloomberg: Chinese TV Makers to Double Purchases From Taiwan

Chinese television-set makers may buy $4.4 billion of components from Taiwan this year, double the original plan, to meet TV demand in the mainland, said Bai Weimin, secretary general of China Video Industry Association.

AP: China sends large group to buy Taiwanese goods

Chinese leaders have pledged to help the island counter its recent economic slump. Taiwan's economy contracted by a record 10.2 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier as foreign demand fell sharply amid the global economic slowdown.

Xinhua: Chinese mainland delegation on procurement spree in Taiwan

This marked a substantial step by the mainland to help boost investment in Taiwan and the purchase of Taiwan products, proposed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in April, Li said.

But please remember, this is just economics at work, nothing political to see here, please move on.

Speaking of the ECFA, check out Terry Crooke's aritcl ein the Asia Times where he sees the ECFA as a stepping stone both for Taiwanese plans to expand into regional agreements.