Taiwan’s outlying islands of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu will begin welcoming individual mainland Chinese tourists from July 29 under an agreement reached by Taipei-based Straits Exchange Foundation and its Beijing counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits.
Residents of mainland China’s Fujian province can apply for visits of up to 15 days for the islands. They are also exempt from providing proof of annual income, and there is no daily limit on arrival numbers, according to the Mainland Affairs Council.
The decision comes little over a month since Taiwan opened to solo mainland Chinese travelers. Under the program, which began June 22, nearly 600 visits have been made.
“This development is expected to significantly boost economic activity on the offshore islands by up to 50 percent,” David Hsieh, Tourism Bureau deputy director-general, said July 27.
“Package tours tailored for individual visitors will help them better experience the islands’ natural beauty, rich history and unique liquor culture,” he added.
The agreement also marks a step forward under the Mini-Three-Links framework, which has enabled postal, transport and trade movement between the islands and various mainland Chinese ports since 2001.
But mainland Chinese visiting the islands are not permitted to enter Taiwan proper, officials said, adding that this ensures economic benefits are maximized for the islands’ economies.
Sources familiar with the matter said upon commencement of the scheme, at least 150 mainland Chinese from Fujian are expected to arrive in Matsu for a two-day trip.
