China's mainland will take a couple of measures to simplify
procedures on commuting across the Taiwan Straits for both
Taiwanese and mainland people.
Han Yusheng with the Ministry of Public Security made the
announcement in Beijing Wednesday at a press conference held by the
Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
According to the new measures, not only Taiwanese people
investing, working or studying on the mainland but also mainland
residents' spouses from Taiwan, people over 70 years old and kids
under the age of 16 can apply for long-term residence on the
mainland or visa convenience for commuting across the Straits.
The new measures will authorize the Fujian Provincial Public
Security Bureau to issue travel documents valid for five years for
Taiwanese commuters, and public security departments in Fuzhou and
Xiamen can handle travel applications from Taiwanese people, noted
Han.
The new measures will also provide easy access for those
Taiwanese commuters who need not stay long on the mainland, Han
said.
(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2004)