•Publication Date：06/14/2011
•Source： Taiwan Today
•By Elaine Hou
A program allowing independent visits by mainland Chinese tourists to Taiwan could commence June 28, according to Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Liu Te-shun.
“Representatives from Taiwan and mainland China are discussing and finalizing details of the program,” Liu said June 14. “Both sides are committed to putting the necessary steps in place so the initiative can take effect by the end of this month.”
Liu’s remarks follow a statement by Wang Yi, director of mainland China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, claiming that the scheme would get underway June 28. Wang made his comments during a June 12 conference at the weeklong Straits Forum held in the mainland Chinese port city of Xiamen.
In response, Liu said the date mentioned by Wang refers to when the first solo mainland Chinese tourists could arrive in Taiwan, which will happen only after the plan is formally approved and takes effect.
“Once relevant procedures are fully completed, both sides of the strait will jointly announce the program’s launch,” Liu said.
As for possible problems with the program, such as overstays and illegal employment, Liu said the government has established necessary control mechanisms to head off the development of these scenarios.
According to sources familiar with the matter, putting the finishing touches on this program was one of the tasks tackled by negotiators during the inaugural review meeting on the implementation of 15 cross-strait agreements held by Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation and its mainland Chinese counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits June 8 in Taipei.
“Progress was made on finalizing the program, but no formal decision could be announced as further reviews were required by the SEF and MAC, as well as Cabinet approval,” the sources said.
