Cabinet spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun says that a Chinese plan to do away with entry visa for Taiwanese is a step in the right direction.
Sun was speaking on Thursday. He said that the simplified entry procedures are the result of a long period of work.
"The two sides of the Taiwan Strait have long been striving to make it easier for the people of both sides to interact with one another," said Sun.
"Here, we can see a simple result of these efforts: in the future [Taiwanese travelers] will only need to hold a document permitting entry into the Mainland – what’s commonly called the ‘Taiwan Compatriot Permit’- in order to visit Mainland China. You won’t need to apply for a visa. We feel that this is a positive development for cross-strait interaction," he said.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan's top China policymaker, also called the move a positive development, provided it is based on mutual respect.
The plan to abolish entry visas is set to take effect July 1. Under new rules, holders of a valid “Taiwan Compatriot Permit” will be able to enter and live in Mainland China. According to high-ranking Chinese political advisor Yu Zhengsheng, there are also plans to turn the “Taiwan Compatriot Permit” from a passport-like booklet into a card.