TAIPEI - Taiwan's exports to the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Adminstrative Region rose to US$15.58 billion in July, up 23.8 percent year-on-year, according to data released by the island's finance authorities Monday.

The mainland remained Taiwan's biggest export destination as cross-Straits exports accounted for 41 percent of the island's total exports in July

The mainland remained Taiwan's biggest export destination as cross-Straits exports accounted for 41 percent of the island's total exports in July.

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Taiwan saw a trade surplus of US$5.9 billion last month, while its surplus with the mainland hit US$8.69 billion, showing that the mainland continued to be the island's largest source of trade surplus.

During the first seven months, Taiwan's exports hit US$244.87 billion and imports increased to US$207.14 billion.

The authorities said it was "cautiously optimistic" about the exports outlook in the second half, helped by strong demand for the island's electronics products and advanced chips.

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