Contacts between the people on both sides of the Strait have steadily intensified since the government began allowing family-related visits to the Mainland in November 1987. The Executive Yuan therefore established the "Inter-Agency Mainland Affairs Committee" in August 1988 as a task force to coordinate the handling of Mainland-related affairs among the competent authorities. In April 1990, the government specifically drafted the Organization Act for the Mainland Affairs Council to strengthen Mainland policy-making and to enhance policy implementation efficiency. The third reading of the Act was passed by the Legislative Yuan on January 18, 1991, and it was promulgated by the President on the 28th of the same month, since when the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) was officially authorized as the agency responsible for overall planning and handling of Mainland affairs.