The mainland yesterday urged Taipei to loosen its control over
cross-Straits tourism and financial exchanges, while pledging more
efforts to push for closer cooperation in the two sectors.
Li Weiyi, spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State
Council, said the mainland has always held an "active and practical
attitude" to achieving free travel across the Straits.
However, there are still some "technical problems" that need
further negotiations between non-governmental tourism associations
of the two sides, he told a regular press conference.
Li did not give a timetable for allowing mainland tourists to
visit Taiwan, which has yet to lift its ban on inbound travel by
mainland residents.
He also mentioned that based on the experience of the three
consecutive years of chartered direct flights between the mainland
and Taiwan during Spring Festival, related departments will provide
better service this year.
"After the realization of direct flights during Spring Festival
and other major festivals, we hope we can advance to the
realization of direct flights at weekends and eventually towards a
full normalization," he said.
Meanwhile, Li refuted the existence of any "political
consideration" in granting access approval to insurance companies
from Taiwan.
Li said that three Taiwan insurance companies had submitted
applications to insurance supervision organizations on the mainland
for operation permission. He said only one met the stipulations in
the regulation and had gained approval to set up a joint-venture on
the mainland.
"This was a legitimate appraisal according to regulations and
there is no so-called 'political behaviour'," he said.
In contrast, Li said that applications from mainland insurance
companies to set up branches in Taiwan had never been approved.
"Therefore, we hope related departments in Taiwan will take a
practical attitude in the consideration of mainland companies'
application to improve the normal development of financial
exchanges between the two sides," he said.
Li also showed his concern about Shaw Hsiao-ling, wife of
Taichung Mayor Jason C. Hu. She was seriously injured in a car
accident over a week ago, and said medical organizations on the
mainland are willing to offer help if necessary.
(China Daily November 30, 2006)