But no matter the outcome of January's vote, positive 'existing exchanges won't stop'

Tourism from the mainland to Taiwan could slow, as Taiwan is in a "special and sensitive time" ahead of January's elections, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said at Wednesday's regular news briefing.

Mainland tour groups will consider their own interests, and tourists to Taiwan will consider the current environment, spokesman An Fengshan said. Referring to similar occasions in the past, An said politics can have varied effects upon the desire of mainland tourists to visit Taiwan.