Date: September 10, 2016
MAC Press Release No. 61
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said that the results of the investigation into the bus fire accident on July 19 this year (2016) involving a tour group from Liaoning, mainland China were announced today (September 10, 2016) by the Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office. Taiwan has notified the Mainland side of the findings through existing mechanisms so that the families of the Mainland victims may be informed as soon as possible. The MAC stated that it would continue to provide necessary assistance to the victims' families and hopes that the case will not affect cross-Strait tourism exchange.
The MAC reiterated its mourning over the bus fire accident. The president, Executive Yuan, and relevant agencies attach great importance and concern to the travel safety issues highlighted by this accident. The Executive Yuan also approved at its August 4 session measures to strengthen tour bus safety promotion. In addition, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) will encourage cross-Strait tourism businesses to develop tour packages for Mainland tourist groups with separate times, areas and routes, as well as stipulate reasonable tour fees to ensure travel safety and quality. In the future, the MOTC will also strengthen guidance and management of tour bus driver mental health, working hours and other issues to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The MAC is coordinating relevant departments on insurance claims and certificate of authentication related to this case and promptly assisting families on an ad hoc basis with the aftermath of the accident. Family members can voice their views on their rights and interests through related mechanisms. The relevant units in Taiwan will also assist in anyway possible.
The MAC reiterated that the government has not changed its position of welcoming Mainland tourists to visit Taiwan. It will continue to take practical action to strengthen tourism safety and quality assurances to increase the willingness of Mainland tourists to visit Taiwan and continue to promote the positive interaction between the people of the two sides and the stable development of cross-Strait relations through tourism.