The number of Taiwan compatriots applying for exit and entry certificates and visiting Fujian Province has risen significantly since the start of this year, said Lin Yongsheng, spokesman of the National Immigration Administration (NIA) at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.
On Jan. 1, China put into effect 10 measures to boost travel between the mainland and Taiwan in an effort to promote integrated cross-Strait development.
Official data showed that ever since then, the immigration departments of Fujian public security authorities have issued 90,000 five-year travel passes for Taiwan compatriots to enter or leave the mainland, representing a 56.4 percent year over year increase. 11,000 one-time travel passes for Taiwan compatriots to enter or leave the mainland have been issued, doubling that amount in the same period of last year.
In addition, ports in Fujian have handled a total of 230,000 visits made by inbound and outbound Taiwan compatriots, a 2.6 times year over year increase. Among them, 54,000 visits enjoyed facilitated customs clearance services.
The released figure also showed that over 4,400 ships operating between Fujian and Taiwan received all-weather customs clearance services, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
"At the moment, with a travel pass, Taiwan compatriots entering or leaving the mainland can enjoy 242 services in 16 areas in Fujian, such as transportation, finance, and telecommunication. Since the start of this year, the NIA has provided 660,000 times of free real-time identity verification service, facilitated government service, public service and Internet application service for Taiwan compatriots. Since the implementation of the 10 measures, the number of Taiwan compatriots applying for residence in Fujian has been growing continuously and the willingness of Taiwan compatriots to live and seek personal development in Fujian for long term has been rising steadily," said Lin.
Taiwan compatriots' travel to Fujian rises sharply after new measures
