TAIPEI - TAIWAN'S state beer maker is expected to launch its leading product 'Taiwan Beer' in China next year following a decade-long halt, officials said Wednesday, amid a thawing of ties with Beijing.

Duan Wei, chairman of Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corp, said the beer would hit the mainland market as early as February after authorities there recently approved its trademark registration.

The beer is expected to generate a revenue between 2.6 and 3 billion Taiwan dollars (S$118.6 - S$136.6 million) in China in 2009, Mr Wei said.

The company planned to target the south-eastern provinces of Fujian and Guangdong in the early stage as the customers there have similar tastes to the Taiwanese, he added.

The company has sought to register the 62-year-old 'Taiwan Beer' trademark in China since 1999 but the process had been stalled amid rising tensions after the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party took power in 2000.

Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war but Beijing still considers the island to be part of its territory and has threatened to invade should it declare independence.

But ties have improved dramatically since China-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May on a platform of boosting cross-Strait trade and tourism links.

The two sides last month agreed to expand air links and open direct shipping and postal services in deals that are potentially worth billions of dollars. -- AFP