At the next round of cross-strait talks, the two sides will discuss transporting cargo on direct passenger flights, a senior SEF official said

It is not feasible to grant Chinese tourists visiting Kinmen and Matsu landing visas or multiple entry visas unless Beijing adjusts its policies, a senior official at the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) said yesterday.

SEF Secretary-General Kao Kong-lian said further negotiations with Beijing were needed, otherwise it would remain "problematic" to implement the changes.

Kao made the remarks in response to a media inquiry about President Ma Ying-jeou's announcement that Chinese tourists visiting Kinmen or Matsu could be granted visas on arrival or multiple entry visas.

Ma, who made the statement in Kinmen on Sunday at events to mark the 50th anniversary of the 823 Artillery Bombardment, said the proposal would help develop Kinmen economically and make travel to Kinmen and Matsu more convenient for Chinese tourists.

PAPERWORK

Kao said yesterday that Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan need both a travel certificate from the Chinese government and a visa issued by Taiwan. Those wishing to travel to Kinmen or Matsu via the small three links must also obtain permission from Taiwan's National Immigration Agency in order to apply with the Chinese government for their travel certificate.

Although Taiwan can process the paperwork in three to five days, it can take one or two weeks for China to grant the certificate, Kao said.

Unless Beijing changes its regulations, it will not be possible to grant visas on arrival and multiple entry visas to Chinese visitors, he said.

Kao yesterday also tried to tone down speculation that Ma had very little understanding of visa regulations when he made the announcement in Kinmen, saying that he himself knew little about the details of the application process.

UP TO BEIJING

The ball is in Beijing's court, Kao said. Essentially it is Beijing's call and both sides would continue to negotiate the matter, he said.

Meanwhile, Kao said that at the next round of cross-strait talks, the two sides would discuss the possibility of transporting cargo on chartered passenger flights.

Kao said it was an international industry standard not to transport cargo on passenger flights, but that given rising fuel costs and ticket prices, it would make sense for the charter flights to carry cargo. This would lower ticket prices and increase airlines' profits.

Charter flight services between Taiwan and Japan already carry cargo, Kao said.

Also on the agenda at the next round of talks will be increasing the number of Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan, Kao said. Both sides would exchange views, including on the option of adding more flight services and destinations.