In 2011 over 1.78 million mainland Chinese visited the island: Taipei wants to further reduce the limitations imposed on tourism from China to reach a thousand visitors a day. But the Taiwanese vice president avoids talking about the "one country, two areas" system.

Taipei (AsiaNews / Agencies) - In less than a year since the lifting of the ban that prevented the mainland Chinese from visiting Taiwan, the island government announced it wants to double the total number of individual tourists from China: the aim is to reach a thousand visitors a day. The Taiwan Council for Chinese Affairs has confirmed the decision and explained that - as of April 28 - it will be used "to help establish and facilitate links between the two sides of the Strait."

Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province. De facto independent since 1949, the island has for decades maintained a policy of suspicion towards the Chinese mainland. The ban on Chinese visitors was motivated by the fear that, once arrived on the island, the visitors could buy false documents to stay for work. Since current President Ma Ying-jeou came to power in 2008, the government has begun to thaw relations to the point of the revocation of the tourism ban.

In 2011, according to data from the Office of Tourism, about 1.78 million mainland Chinese visited the island. Under the new agreement, as well as Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen, Taipei will also welcome visitors from other 6 Chinese cities: the goal is to add 4 more next year. With 9.4% of total tourism from China the main motor of the tourism industry in Taiwan.
 
Besides the economy, signs of detente between Beijing and Taipei are also visible in politics. The vice president-elect of Taiwan Wu Den-yih, speaking on the sidelines of the Boao Forum, yesterday avoided commenting on the controversial system of "one country, two areas" proposed by China. Under the system, similar to the one prepared for Hong Kong, Beijing has absolute power over the territory of China - including Taiwan - but leaves a lot of local autonomy.

During the meeting with communist Vice Premier Li Keqiang - in the process of replacing Wen Jiabao as premier of the country - Wu did not want to talk about the proposal but said that "Beijing and Taipei should put aside their differences, giving priority to improving the lifestyle of people on both sides of the Strait. "

 

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