A high-level mainland delegation started a visit to Taiwan yesterday to boost tourism and economic relations. Protesters dog the group during its visit to Taiwan’s second largest city. The visitors hold a cordial meeting with Taiwanese businessmen at an economic forum. Chinese tourism is important to the island’s economy.

Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A group of 200 demonstrators threw eggs and chrysanthemums at a Chinese delegation visiting the port city of Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan. Chen Yunlin, China's top negotiator for Taiwan and head of the delegation, arrived on the island for a six-day visit to discuss tourism and trade between the two countries.

Anti-mainland feelings are particularly strong in southern Taiwan, where Chen led a group of executives from 20 mainland Chinese companies to an economic forum to discuss investment opportunities on the island.

The Chinese delegation was cordially welcomed at the forum. Chen thanked his hosts for the “warm welcome”. He also insisted that the goal was to favour joint development.

Demonstrators, who were held back by police, chanted “Support Taiwan independence—some pelted the visitors with eggs and flowers. They said they wanted to throw jasmine, symbol of the revolution undermining oppressive governments in the Arab world, but had to use chrysanthemums instead since it is not the season for jasmine.

Increasing the number of permits for mainland tourists to the island was also discussed. At present, the daily quota for Chinese tourists stands at 4,000. Taiwan has proposed to allow up to 500 mainland Chinese per day to visit as individuals on trips of up to 15 days.

Mainland tourists represent a great deal of money. Groups from China accounted for 1.63 million visitors in 2010, up 68 per cent from the previous year. For the first time, the number of mainland tourists exceeded those from Japan.

Relations between the two countries are at their best since the island broke away from the mainland. This was made possible by the election of President Ma Ying-jeou in 2008. An important trade deal was also signed in 2010.

However, China considers Taiwan a rebel province and many Taiwanese fear that Beijing is using economics to retake the island and achieve reunification.

China has at least 1,600 rockets targeted at the island and has not renounced the use of force in case Taiwan proclaims its independence.

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