All eyes on Chinese tourist numbers ahead of Lunar New Year as sign of Beijing's posture

Shanghai

WITH six million Chinese tourists expected to travel abroad over the Lunar New Year break, China's Jan 27 to Feb 2 holiday is crucial for Taiwan tour agency operator Li Chi-yueh, who relies on mainland visitors for a third of his revenue.

But Mr Li's hopes are not high this year, after the number of mainland tourists plummeted 36 per ce…