CIRCULAR OF THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THEPEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA CONCERNING THE MEASURES FOR RECEIVING COM-PATRIOTS FROM TAIWAN WHO COME TO THE MAINLAND OF THEIR MOTHERLAND TO VISITTHEIR RELATIVES OR AS TOUR

CIRCULAR OF THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THEPEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA CONCERNING THE MEASURES FOR RECEIVING COM-PATRIOTS FROM TAIWAN WHO COME TO THE MAINLAND OF THEIR MOTHERLAND TO VISITTHEIR RELATIVES OR AS TOUR ISTS This English document is coming from the "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7) which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and is published by the China Legal System Publishing House.

In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.

Whole Document CIRCULAR OF THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA CONCERNING THE MEASURES FOR RECEIVING COM- PATRIOTS FROM TAIWAN WHO COME TO THE MAINLAND OF THEIR MOTHERLAND TO VISIT THEIR RELATIVES OR AS TOURISTS (October 16, 1987) 1. The Government of the motherland warmly and sincerely welcomes compatriots from Taiwan to come to the mainland to visit their relatives or as tourists, and guarantees that they have the complete freedom to come and go.

2. Compatriots from Taiwan, who wish to return to the mainland of their motherland to visit their relatives or as tourists, shall apply for travel certificates. In the region of Hong Kong, the matter shall be handled by the visa-issuing office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong or by the China Travel Service in Hong Kong on its behalf; in the United States, Japan and other countries, applications for travel certificates shall be handled by the Chinese embassies and consulates in respective countries.

3. When compatriots from Taiwan arrive in the mainland, the Customs shall, on the strength of their travel certificates mentioned above, give easy clearance after examination to the luggage and articles they carry along as long as they are within the reasonable quantities allowed for personal use.

4. Compatriots from Taiwan shall be entitled to the same treatment as enjoyed by the mainland passengers with respect to buying airplane, train and ship tickets in the mainland and staying in hotels.

5. With respect to the foreign exchange openly quoted for free conversion by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange Control, there shall be no limit in amount for compatriots from Taiwan to remit or carry into the mainland or convert in the mainland. Foreign exchange transactions shall be conducted by the Bank of China, or by other banks approved by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange Control to handle foreign exchange business, and also by foreign exchange conversion agencies stationed at airports, hotels, and department stores. Compatriots from Taiwan may open foreign currency accounts with the aforesaid banks with the interest paid in foreign currencies; and they shall have the freedom to deposit or withdraw money, or remit both the principal and interest out of the mainland.

6. Compatriots from Taiwan, like their compatriots in the mainland, may enjoy the freedom to go sightseeing or make a tour all over the mainland.

7. Compatriots from Taiwan, who return to the mainland to visit their relatives or to tour in the mainland, shall abide by the various laws and regulations promulgated by the Government of the motherland, and respect the social customs and habits in the various localities.