Visa Rules for Mainland Chinese Visitors Eased
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The Taiwanese government relaxed restrictions on visits by merchants and business professionals from mainland China, a move the island hopes will help make it a hub for commerce in Asia.
Taiwan has long been leery about mainland Chinese visiting the island, fearing that they might be spies or saboteurs. The two sides split amid civil war in 1949, but Beijing regards the island as part of its territory and has threatened repeatedly to invade.
Globalization and rapidly expanding trade ties with China have forced the Taiwanese to ease restrictions. The Mainland Affairs Council--responsible for Taiwan’s China policy--said the waiting period for Chinese merchants to receive visas has been reduced to five days from two months.
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