The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) today said it did not approve an application for a delegation from the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism to visit the Taipei Lantern Festival.
Part of the delegation’s proposed itinerary involves sightseeing and tourism, and as such, should have first been coordinated through the relevant tourism exchange associations, the council said.
On Jan. 20, the Taipei City Government applied for permission for a delegation, including members of the Shanghai body, to visit Taiwan from Tuesday to Friday next week to participate in the Taipei Lantern Festival and other activities, the MAC said.
Photo: Chung Li-hua, Taipei Times
After an assessment, the council said it rejected the application.
Local governments should align with central government policies and coordinate with the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits and the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association of Taiwan before applying for groups to come to Taiwan, it said in a statement.
This is to protect the interests of the public, domestic travel businesses and ensure orderly development of cross-strait tourism, the council added.
Tourism from China should be arranged through formal mechanisms and exchanges, the council said, citing ongoing discussions between the associations and Chinese officials regarding resuming group tours to Taiwan.
All cross-strait affairs fall under the jurisdiction of the central government, it said, adding that local governments and private organizations must abide by existing policies.
Local governments should avoid unauthorized or unilateral collaboration on cross-strait tourism matters to avoid breaking the law, the MAC said.
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