In a customary post-visit gesture, Beijing yesterday announced its intention to relax travel, educational and labor regulations across the Strait following the conclusion of People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong's (
The measures, announced by the director of the Taiwan Affairs Office Chen Yunlin (
Chen said in a thorough a report by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency that Taiwanese who reside in China for over a year will be eligible for "residence stamps" that would be valid for up to five years. In addition, those who make frequent visits of a short duration can apply for multiple entry visas that are valid for one year. The new measures would also streamline application procedures, allowing authorities in Fujian Province to issue multiple entry visas to residents of Taiwan's offshore islands, and Shanghai and Jiangsu authorities to handle lost or expired "Taiwan Compatriot's Pass to the Mainland," or visas for all intents and purposes.
Chen also said that labor regulations were being modified to bring about equal job opportunities for Taiwanese seeking work in China. Beijing is slated to open its doors to an increased number of professions as well, according to Chen.
In terms of educational benefits, Beijing is prepared to cut tuition fees for Taiwanese graduate students studying in China. It is also slated to lift age restrictions and to allow individual universities to set their own admissions standards.
Chen, who also doubles as the Chinese Communist Party's Taiwan Work Office head, made similar announcements after Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) wrapped up his tour of China earlier this month, offering trade and tourism concessions as well as two giant pandas as a goodwill gesture. Soong -- who returned to Taiwan yesterday -- and Lien both met with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), in their roles as opposition party leaders.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council responded to Beijing's latest offers, saying that the concessions they extended should have already been implemented.
"These are measures Beijing should have implemented long ago. If it's something that should be done, then don't procrastinate," council Vice Chairman You Ying-lung (
You went on reiterate the government's refusal to recognize the so-called "1992 consensus" or any other notion reflecting the "one China" principle.
"The `1992 consensus' is a consensus with no consensus, and the 1992 Hong Kong talks did not reach any conclusions. China's reiteration of the `1992 consensus' is merely gift-wrapping for its `one China' principle," You said.
"We're back to square one. Not only have we resolved nothing, we have revived old disagreements," he added.
SHIPS, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: The ministry has announced changes to varied transportation industries taking effect soon, with a number of effects for passengers Beginning next month, the post office is canceling signature upon delivery and written inquiry services for international registered small packets in accordance with the new policy of the Universal Postal Union, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday. The new policy does not apply to packets that are to be delivered to China, the ministry said. Senders of international registered small packets would receive a NT$10 rebate on postage if the packets are sent from Jan. 1 to March 31, it added. The ministry said that three other policies are also scheduled to take effect next month. International cruise ship operators
NUMBERS IMBALANCE: More than 4 million Taiwanese have visited China this year, while only about half a million Chinese have visited here Beijing has yet to respond to Taiwan’s requests for negotiation over matters related to the recovery of cross-strait tourism, the Tourism Administration said yesterday. Taiwan’s tourism authority issued the statement after Chinese-language daily the China Times reported yesterday that the government’s policy of banning group tours to China does not stop Taiwanese from visiting the country. As of October, more than 4.2 million had traveled to China this year, exceeding last year. Beijing estimated the number of Taiwanese tourists in China could reach 4.5 million this year. By contrast, only 500,000 Chinese tourists are expected in Taiwan, the report said. The report
Temperatures are forecast to drop steadily as a continental cold air mass moves across Taiwan, with some areas also likely to see heavy rainfall, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. From today through early tomorrow, a cold air mass would keep temperatures low across central and northern Taiwan, and the eastern half of Taiwan proper, with isolated brief showers forecast along Keelung’s north coast, Taipei and New Taipei City’s mountainous areas and eastern Taiwan, it said. Lows of 11°C to 15°C are forecast in central and northern Taiwan, Yilan County, and the outlying Kinmen and Lienchiang (Matsu) counties, and 14°C to 17°C
STEERING FAILURE: The first boat of its class is experiencing teething issues as it readies for acceptance by the navy, according to a recent story about rudder failure The Hai Kun (海鯤), the nation’s first locally built submarine, allegedly suffered a total failure of stern hydraulic systems during the second round of sea acceptance trials on June 26, and sailors were forced to manually operate the X-rudder to turn the submarine and return to port, news Web site Mirror Daily reported yesterday. The report said that tugboats following the Hai Kun assisted the submarine in avoiding collisions with other ships due to the X-rudder malfunctioning. At the time of the report, the submarine had completed its trials and was scheduled to begin diving and surfacing tests in shallow areas. The X-rudder,
RSS