A "green channel" road network on the Chinese mainland has been available since early this year to facilitate the transportation of agricultural products from Taiwan, said a mainland official Wednesday.

The 27,000-km-long network, consisting of five south-north and two east-west routes, was opened on Jan, 15, 2006 for the vehicles carrying Taiwan farm produce, said Li Hua, vice director of the highway department of the Ministry of Communications, at a press conference.

The network reaches all the mainland's 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and covers all the major farm production bases and markets on the mainland, he said.

Vehicles running on the network can enjoy favorable policies, including cheeper toll charges, the use of special tollgate lanes and free from long-time detaining by law enforcers.

"It's convenient for the prompt transportation of live farm produces from Taiwan," said Li.

The transportation vehicles are only allowed to carry fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, milk or aquatic, animal and poultry products, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2006)