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Chinese tourists have to wait for concensus: MAC

Full opening of Taiwan to Chinese tourists is an established policy of the government but will need full discussion among related government agencies and cross-Taiwan Strait consensus on handling the matter, MAC Vice Chairman Chiu Tai-san (邱太三) said yesterday.

The government has allowed Chinese people studying abroad and those who have obtained permanent resident status overseas to come to Taiwan since 2002, and further eased the restrictions later that year to allow Chinese living overseas -- including Hong Kong and Macau -- for more than four years and who have work permits, to visit Taiwan, along with their spouses and direct relatives.

Chiu noted that although full opening to Chinese tourists is an established policy of the government, implementation of the policy hinges on the wishes of both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as the integration of views among the relevant government agencies. When the time is ripe, the MAC will make an announcement, he added.

He said that full opening will create problems with visa overstays and legal disputes and added that both sides must reach consensus on such issues before a full opening.
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