Mainland Affairs Council

(Agreements on weekend charter flights and Mainland tourist visits to Taiwan signed on June 13, 2008; Cross-strait weekend charter flights implemented on July 4, 2008, with the first Mainland tourist group starting a historic journey to Taiwan; Policy of allowing Mainland tourists to visit Taiwan officially implemented on July 18, 2008)

On June 13, 2008, the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) signed two agreements on cross-strait weekend charter flights and Mainland tourist visits to Taiwan. Cross-strait weekend charter flights were officially launched on July 4. On July 18, the policy of allowing Mainland tourists to visit Taiwan was officially implemented.

Benefits: These measures will advance the development of tourism-related industries in Taiwan and promote cooperation and benign interaction across the Taiwan Strait.

Sources:

• Summary of the Premier’s Remarks at 3100th Executive Yuan Session
• Full Text of SEF-ARATS Minutes of Talks on Cross-Strait Charter Flights
• Full Text of Cross-Strait Agreement Signed Between SEF and ARATS Concerning Mainland Tourists Traveling to Taiwan
• SEF-ARATS Minutes of Talks on Cross-Strait Charter Flights（Chinese version only）
• Cross-Strait Agreement Signed Between SEF and ARATS Concerning Mainland Tourists Traveling to Taiwan（Chinese version only）