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Mainland top tourism officials visit Taiwan
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-29 09:33
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Chinese mainland's top official in charge of tourism began a 10-day visit to Taiwan on Friday, fuelling hopes the trip could open the floodgates for mainland tourists to visit the island.
Shao Qiwei, head of mainland's National Tourism Administration, goes through customs at the Chiang Kai-shek international airport October 28, 2005. [Reuters] |
Shao Qiwei, head of National Tourism Administration, led a 66-member delegation to see tourist spots around the island, including the tranquil Sun Moon Lake, the misty Alishan mountain range and the steep Taroko Gorge.
"I am here for sight-seeing and to feel the environment, experience the history, culture and religions," said Shao, who was greeted at the airport by hosts from the island's tourism industry. "I hope to bring high-quality tourists to Taiwan."
While the Taiwan government has said no official negotiations will take place during their tour, hopes are high that it can be a major step toward ushering in tourists from mainland -- a potent economic force, as evident in nearby Hong Kong.
"We hope negotiations can proceed as soon as possible after they leave," Joseph Wu, chairman of Taiwan's policy-making Mainland Affairs Council, said earlier this week.
Beijing first offered to let mainland tourists visit Taiwan in May and called for negotiations with Taipei on the details.
Taiwan has its own tough rules restricting mainland visitors and bans direct air links on grounds.
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