Mainland Affairs Council Minister Andrew Hsia said on Tuesday he may meet with his Chinese counterpart this month. The two sides would discuss allowing Chinese tourists to transfer flights in Taiwan, setting up offices on either sides and the trade in goods agreement.
In an interview with Radio Taiwan International, Hsia said Taiwanese have been transferring flights in China for a long time. He hopes Beijing would see the convenience of allowing their tourists to transfer in Taiwan:
"We just hope that along with international customs, China will allow its citizens the opportunity to transfer flights in Taiwan," said Hsia.
"We should not have a problem with our equipment, facilities, and inspection procedures. I believe it’s really a matter of their having a new perspective on Chinese tourists transferring here."
Hsia hopes his Chinese counterpart Zhang Zhijun, the head of the Taiwan Affairs Office, can agree to this at their upcoming meeting. Hsia also spoke about the progress of setting up offices on each other’s sides:
"There are still a few minor problems we haven’t resolved yet, but I don’t think these problems cannot be overcome," said Hsia.
"I believe that we can overcome these issues as long as both sides believe that setting up these offices is to serve the people on each other’s territory."
Hsia said once Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation sets up an office in China, it will be able to assist Taiwanese in matters such as notarization of documents, travel documents, and emergency assistance.