Taiwan's decision to allow Chinese citizens to visit its frontline islands is part of an effort to reach out to rival China and is also designed to enrich the heavily fortified islets, a top Cabinet official said.
"Through the `small three links,' we're expressing our sincerity and goodwill towards the mainland," Cabinet Secretary-General Chiou I-jen (
Taiwan announced last Wednesday it would allow people from China to visit Kinmen (金門) and Matsu (馬祖) from China's southeastern province of Fujian on a trial basis for one year from Jan. 1.
The decision includes the easing of a decades-old ban on trade, transport and postal links, the so-called three links, between the Cold War adversaries.
"It is also designed to make Kinmen and Matsu prosperous," Chiou, the Cabinet's third most senior official, said.
It was unclear if China, which has not held any talks with Taiwan on the planned opening, would go along with the plan.
The March election victory of President Chen Shui-bian (
Chiou, Cabinet secretary-general, dismissed speculation Taipei was dragging its feet on the "big three links" -- trade, transport and postal links between Taiwan proper and China.
"This is a big misunderstanding," Chiou said. "We're not trying to delay anything."
Chiou said the ball was in Beijing's court and it was up to it as to when the two sides could resume dialogue, frozen by the China since July 1999 to punish the island for demanding political parity.
"This is not entirely in our hands," he said.
As a Cold War flashpoint, Kinmen's beaches were sown with landmines and its hills bristled with radars and artillery emplacements.
Kinmen has been turned into a tourist destination over the past decade, but it still lives under military threat and is defended by several troop divisions.
Taiwan's Bureau of Entry and Exit yesterday began accepting applications for Chinese to visit Kinmen and Matsu. Up to 700 Chinese can visit at any one time and stay for up to seven days.
Chiou said Chinese businessmen, academics, students and residents with relatives in Kinmen or Matsu can apply through Taiwan travel agencies to visit the island fortresses as part of tour groups of 10 to 25 people.
But Communist Party cadres, Chinese soldiers and government officials and ex-convicts are barred from visiting.
Permanent residents of Kinmen and Matsu can sail directly to and from Fujian in Taiwan vessels. Chinese ships are barred from ferrying passengers and goods. No flags can be flown.
China-bound Taiwan residents will still be required to go through Hong Kong or a third country and would not be allowed to use Kinmen or Matsu as a gateway due to security reasons. Chiou said customs and quarantine officials would man Kinmen and Matsu airports, harbors and post offices to prevent Chinese goods from flowing to Taiwan proper.
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