New policies give fresh impetus to cross-Straits ties

Members of China's top political advisory body have urged the government to unveil detailed implementation measures as soon as possible, following the launch of a series of policies to further expand economic and cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Straits.

On Feb 28, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council issued a document composed of 31 measures to promote cross-Straits economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation. According to the latest policies, Taiwan people will be granted equal treatment with residents of the Chinese mainland gradually with regard to entrepreneurship, employment, education and living.

"Following the issuance of the measures, many young people have called us from Taiwan, asking how they can take qualification exams for permission to practice certain professions such as medicine in the mainland. We told them to wait for the release of detailed implementation plans," said Yang Yizhou, vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, on the sidelines of this year's session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.