Taiwan to open tourism offices on mainland

Taiwan is preparing to open the island's first tourism office in Beijing. Director of the office, Yang Rui-zong, will become the first Taiwan official to serve in the Chinese mainland in 6 decades.

Yang Rui-zong is the deputy director of the Taiwan Executive Yuan's Third Division. He is expected to head to Beijing before the Chinese New Year in February. The office will represent the Taiwan Strait Tourism and Travel Association. Officials are still looking for a proper site to establish the office.

The mainland-based Cross-Strait Exchange Association will also set up a tourism office in Taipei. Both sides have welcomed the new offices as a move that will boost tourism for both sides. Mainland visitors are the second largest group in Taiwan's tourism sector, just behind Japan.