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 cent since President Tsai Ing-wen took power in May. Though Ms Tsai says Taiwan wants peace with China, Beijing suspects she seeks formal independence. "China uses its sightseeing tourists as a diplomatic weapon," said Mr Li, owner of Taipei-based Chung Shin Travel Service, who has been representing Taiwan's tour operators to lobby Ms Tsai to improve ties with Beijing. "There's a lot of concern that the industry won't survive if we carry on like this."