A further sign of co-operation between Taiwan and the Mainland comes with the news that the tourism associations are to set up offices in each other’s territory.
This will happen early next year according to Yang Ruey-tzhong, the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association’s designated Beijing representative.
The association will open its Beijing office before Chinese New Year in February next year.
The association’s Mainland counterpart – the Cross Strait Tourism Association – will be opening a Taipei office at the same time.
Yang said that the opening of the two offices has been organized on the principles of "dignity and equal treatment" on both sides.
Radio Taiwan International said the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association is a quasi-official organization representing Taiwan in negotiations on cross-strait tourism.
Yang will be the first Taiwanese government official to be stationed on the Mainland.