The Tourism Bureau of the Tibet Autonomous Region has announced its decision to simplify procedures for Taiwanese tourists to enter Tibet.

Previously, compatriots from Taiwan who intended to travel in Tibet were required to first undergo a series of procedures in the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Tibet Autonomous Region and then they had to apply for a tourism confirmation letter from the autonomous regional tourism bureau.

Beginning July 1, said a source with the local tourism bureau on Wednesday, Taiwanese tourists need only to contact the local Taiwan Affairs Office before entering the autonomous region as the requirement of a confirmation letter has been abrogated.

To date, more than 100 Taiwanese tourists have enjoyed the simplified procedures, the source noted.

Zhang Rong, head of the Autonomous Regional Taiwan Affairs Office, said that apart from tourists, in the future, Taiwan compatriots who intend to visit their relatives or do field research in Tibet could also directly contact the local Taiwan Affairs Office, instead of the local Foreign Affairs Office as before.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2003)