A senior Chinese tourism official arrived in Taipei yesterday, kicking off a 10-day tour that could go a long way toward reviving the nation's beleaguered tourism sector and easing cross-strait tensions.
Shao Qiwei (
Mainland Affairs Council Vice Chairman Johnnason Liu (
Speaking at a weekly news briefing, Liu explained that the purpose of Shao's visit was purely to gain an understanding of Taiwan's tourist spots and relevant facilities, and he urged everyone to respect the purpose of his visit and not to interfere.
While in Taiwan, Shao will only meet representatives from the tourism industry and will not touch on issues related to cross-strait negotiations, Liu said, noting that the Chinese tourism official's visit is a requirement of the Chinese government before it decides to allow its people to sightsee in Taiwan.
He also urged Beijing to speed up its pace in related preparations and pointed out that China is yet to add Taiwan to its overseas tourist destination list.
Taiwan is poised to open up further to tourists from China after beginning to do so on a trial basis in 2002, he said.
Taiwan Visitors' Association president S.L. Chang (
Tourism Bureau Director-General Hsu Wen-sheng (
Shao said he hoped to personally feel and experience the atmosphere and attractions of Taiwan, such as its historic and cultural relics and religious activities, during his visit.
Shao's 66-member delegation is composed of provincial tourism officials, reporters and industry executives.
Shao was invited by Chang to visit Taiwan in his capacity as Chinese National Travel Association president in a bid to make the visit "private" in nature.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) Lin Ling-san (
Lin welcomed Shao's visit and expressed the hope that he will be able to gain a detailed understanding of present-day Taiwan.
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