Pingtan's exit and entry authorities have relaxed a rule that required Taiwan compatriots to stay in the Chinese mainland for more than one year in order to qualify for a Mainland Residency Permit valid for one to five years, the Pingtan Times reported.

The Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, in east China's Fujian province, is the only special zone to be granted the authorization to relax the policy, due to its special connection and also its geographical proximity to Taiwan.

The new policy - granted to Pingtan on Oct 17 – simplifies the application procedures and it also means that Taiwan compatriots will receive their permits within a shorter delay. The Pingtan exit and entry authorities are permitted to issue the Mainland Residency Permit valid for a maximum of five years to Taiwan compatriots conducting business or involved in other legal activities in Pingtan.

Taiwan holders of such permits are allowed to enter and exit any ports in the mainland multiple times.

There are two kinds of permits for Taiwan compatriots arriving on the Chinese mainland – a Mainland Travel Permit and a Mainland Residency Permit. According to Pingtan's local exit and entry department, the number of applications for multiple travel permits in Pingtan increased by 12 percent between January and September compared to the same period last year. The local customs authorities predicted that Pingtan will witness a large increase in the number of Taiwan compatriots arriving in the county with the Mainland Residency Permit.

Edited by Niva Whyman