There will be new negotiations in October or November, to establish regular maritime contacts among China, the islands, and Taiwan.

Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) - In the attempt to open Taiwan even more to Chinese tourists, these will soon have the possibility of visiting the island of Taiwan by departing from the islands of Kinmen and Matsu, near the coast of China. But the tourists must obtain a visa before their trip, at the designated offices. Until now, Chinese tourists had been permitted to visit the two groups of islands with a visa that was granted upon their arrival.

It is the most recent proposal since, in July, the two sides of the strait decided to establish direct weekly flights between China and Taiwan, after almost 60 years.

The closer relations are facilitating the entry of thousands of Chinese tourists into Taiwan, with beneficial effects on the Taiwanese economy.

Toward the end of October or at the beginning of November, there will be new negotiations to establish regular maritime contacts as well. Taipei has also decided to open direct sea connections between the islands of Penghu (Pescadores) and many of the ports on the coast of Fujian.

The islands of Kinmen (or Jinmen) were the theater of heavy bombings between China and Taiwan during the 1950s and 1960s.

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