Taiwan residents to get entry permits on arrival at more mainland ports

Mainland authorities plan to expand the list of ports offering on-arrival entry permit services for Taiwan residents to cover all eligible ports, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, announced at a regular news conference that relevant departments are preparing to broaden the current list of ports where Taiwan residents can obtain a single-entry permits upon arrival, extending the service to all eligible ports across the mainland.

Chen said the move aims to further open up the mainland and make travel for Taiwan compatriots more convenient and secure.

At present, Taiwan residents can apply for a single-entry travel permit to the Chinese mainland at the immigration offices of 46 city ports, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen and Fuzhou in Fujian province.

Whether traveling directly from Taiwan to the mainland or transiting through Hong Kong, Macao, or foreign countries, Taiwan residents will be able to apply for a single-entry mainland travel permit upon arrival at these designated ports, according to Chen.

Further details of the policy and the complete list of applicable ports will be released by the relevant authorities in due course, Chen said.

"People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family," Chen said. "We have always valued the opinions and suggestions of our Taiwan compatriots."

He added that the policy is designed to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and contribute to the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Strait relations while safeguarding the shared interests and well-being of compatriots on both sides.