Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, announced at a regular press conference on the 15th that in order to further expand opening up and make it more convenient and safer for Taiwan compatriots to come to the mainland, the relevant functional departments plan to expand the scope of ports for Taiwan residents to apply for permits when they land in the mainland to all eligible ports in the near future. Whether Taiwan compatriots fly directly from Taiwan to the mainland, or come to the mainland via Hong Kong, Macao or foreign countries, they can apply for a valid entry permit for Taiwan compatriots upon landing at the above ports. Details of policy measures and the list of ports for implementation will be released by relevant functional departments in due course.

Both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. Our Taiwan compatriots have always been our close kin, and we always value listening to their opinions and suggestions. The introduction of the above policies is to create more open, convenient and safe conditions for Taiwan residents to travel to the mainland, further promote cross-Strait personnel exchanges and exchanges and cooperation, promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the steady and long-term integration of development, and protect the common interests and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

(CCTV reporters Huang Da and Zhu Ruomeng)