Taiwan is to ease restrictions on the issuing of visas to Hong Kong visitors in the next few months, according to its unofficial representative in the SAR.
But Cheng An-kuo, whose official title is managing director of the Chung Hwa Travel Service, said visa-free access was still not an option, because of strained cross-strait relations.
He said yesterday Taipei would reintroduce a series of measures adopted before the handover.
These include speeding up the handling of visa applications and of applications for extension of stay.
Paul Yip Kwok-wah, special adviser to Tung Chee-hwa, said the moves would help more exchanges in the long-run.
Meanwhile, Mr Yip said Mr Tung had expressed concern over the trial of Asia Television boss Lim Por-yen in Taipei and hoped it would be dealt with speedily and in accordance with judicial principles. He also hoped Taiwan would treat Mr Lim in a humanitarian manner.
