In order to implement and promote the policy of opening up tourism in Taiwan for Chinese tourists, the Taiwanese government announced on June 13, 2005 that this issue would be prioritized in cross-strait negotiations. On July 28, 2005, the government designated the Travel Agent Association of Taiwan, R.O.C. (TAAT), as the contact window and entrusted it to continue communications and contacts with the Beijing-based China Tourism Association (CTA). On November 5, 2005, China announced that it would engage in negotiations with Taiwan under the name of the "Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association" (CTEA); and on August 17, 2006, the CTEA held its first board meeting. The Taiwanese government therefore assesses that the objective conditions and timing are ripe for cross-strait negotiations. Based on functional considerations, Taiwan has decided to establish the "Taiwan Strait Tourism Association" (TSTA) in the next few days to facilitate follow-up communications and contacts with China and to assist in arranging the negotiations across the Strait and other related matters.
Taiwan’s plan to establish the TSTA is based on functional considerations. In setting up the TSTA, Taiwan has studied the organization and representation of the members of China’s CTEA. The TSTA Board of Directors will have 9e to 11 directors. Under initial plans, the directors will be appointed from relevant government agencies and major civilian organizations. Appointees will include Hsu Wen-sheng, Janice Seh-Jen Lai, Steve Wu, Chang Shuo-lao, Johnson Tseng, and Lin Chin-jung among others.
Consensus on promoting the opening up of tourism in Taiwan for Chinese tourists was reached at the Conference on Sustainable Development of Taiwan's Economy (CSDTE) at the end of July 2006. At present, the related government agencies are successively making preparations for receiving Chinese tourists and formulating accompanying measures for security management and other matters. They have also completed all the preparatory works for negotiations. In coordination with the establishment of the Taipei-based TSTA, Taiwan will actively conduct communications and contacts with China with a view to starting the formal negotiations soon and making proper arrangements. This is aimed at realizing, at the earliest possible date, the well-intentioned policy of allowing Chinese visitors to enjoy high-quality travel in Taiwan.