China to end entry permit requirement for Taiwanese

Beijing

CHINA will lift an entry permit requirement for Taiwanese travelling to the mainland, the Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday, part of a wider plan to reduce barriers between the two communities. Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the announcement at a forum in the southern Chinese city of Xiamen.

"We'll consistently support exchanges among compatriots of the two sides and firmly oppose the separatist forces' obstructive intent to the peaceful development of the relations," Mr Yu said, referring to political parties that want to declare Taiwan as a separate country. China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification by force if necessary. The self-ruled island split from China at the end of a civil war in 1949.