A Chinese official yesterday denied reports that identity cards will be issued to replace the permits now available for Taiwan residents to travel to the mainland.
The reports are "totally groundless," said Liz Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a regular press conference.
To safeguard the rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots, relevant mainland departments developed policies and took measures to facilitate Taiwan residents entering and exiting the mainland for study and work, Li said.
"We'll continue to do so in the future but have no plan to replace the permits with ID cards for our compatriots in Taiwan," Li said.
As for Taiwan journalists stationed on the Chinese mainland, Li said the mainland recently extended their allowable stay to three months, with multiple entries.
He said mainland airlines will provide the country's best chartered aircraft for passengers flying to and from Taiwan during the upcoming Spring Festival.
Detailed service plans are being made to provide warm and considerate service to Taiwan passengers, said Li.
Authorities have approved charter flights by six mainland airlines during the 2006 Lunar New Year. Four Taiwan-based airlines have been granted the right to fly to the mainland during Asia's busiest travel season.
The best aircraft and crews will serve passengers and ticket reservations have been facilitated. Special boarding services and emergency plans have also been prepared.
The mainland hopes the flights to Taiwan for passengers and freight will follow the successful model of the 2005 Spring Festival charter flights.
The special Spring Festival charter flights between Taiwan and the mainland are scheduled from January 20 to February 13 next year.
Along with Taiwan business people and their families, Taiwan residents holding appropriate travel documents will be allowed to take the flights. These conditions are part of an agreement between the civil aviation associations in Taiwan and the mainland.
There will be 72 round-trip flights between Taiwan and the mainland with airlines in each region providing half the flights.
Flights to the mainland will land in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen. The flights will also land in Taipei and Kaohsiung.
(Xinhua)