China's mainland will take a couple of measures to simplify procedures on commuting across the Taiwan Strait for both Taiwanese and mainland people.

Han Yusheng with the Ministry of Public Security made the announcement 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 Strait.

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 11, 2004)