Taiwan pushes for expansion of cross-Straits tourism

In the latest effort to push for closer bilateral exchanges, Taiwan's top negotiator with the mainland yesterday proposed to expand recently launched cross-Straits charter flights and tourism schemes.

Chiang Pin-kun, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), made the appeal less than one month after his organization signed historic deals with its mainland counterpart on the two schemes.

Under landmark agreements signed on June 13 in Beijing between the SEF and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), Taipei agreed to open the island to mainland tourists and launch weekend charter flights.

"The two agreements are significant and pivotal but we still have a lot to do for the next step," Chiang told Shao Qiwei, director of the National Administration of Tourism and chairman of the Cross-Straits Tourism Communication Association.

Shao, as head of the 750-member inaugural mainland tour group to Taiwan, arrived in the island last Friday for a seven-day inspection.

Chiang expressed his hope to expand the number of destinations and flights for the cross-Straits weekend charter service and allow more mainland tourists to visit the island.

"The increase in the number of destinations and flights will facilitate travel for Taiwan business people and mainland tourists based in different regions of the mainland," Chiang said.

"There is also the need to gradually adjust the number of mainland tourists visiting Taiwan and improve the facilities of tourist spots in Taiwan."

The SEF and ARATS have agreed to start the second round of talks within three months.

Chiang's proposal reflects Taiwan's high expectations for the economic benefits from the arrival of mainland tourists to help revive the island's sagging economy.