In a display of goodwill, the government of China has removed some of the entry requirements for Taiwanese citizens to enter the mainland. 

According to Xinhua, the new regulation, which was revealed on Thursday, June 18, will enable residents of Taiwan to enter mainland China with only their travel pass. At the moment, Taiwanese visitors to mainland China have to apply for an entry-permit. 

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Under the new laws, the requirements for a Taiwanese citizen to get a travel pass to enter China is expected to be less stringent. A new type of travel pass has also been introduced to enable Taiwanese residents without the necessary travel pass easily acquire one at the point of entry to mainland China.

The new regulations were first announced over the weekend at the 7th Straits Forum by the chairman of the National Committee Yu Zhensheng. Yu explained that the move is meant to increase the exchanges between people on both sides.

Since the Communist Party took control of China in the fourties and the Kuomintang Nationalists retreated to Taiwan, the relationship between Cross and Strait has been tense. While China's leaders see the island as part of the country, Taiwanese nationalists are eager to defend the independence of the island.

Under President Ma Ying-jeou, Tiawan has attempted to heal its relationship with China. While President Ma agrees with the 1992 'One China principle,' experts say both sides interpret different meanings from this accord. Nonetheless, it is perhaps the only thing that may be keeping both nations from full blown warfare.

IHS Jane's 360 has reported that between May and June, the Chinese military conducted drills that displayed their ability to invade Taiwan from land, air and sea.

Recently, Chinese authorities have revealed that they will only support a pro-China candidate in Taiwan's upcoming national election. The spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Office Ma Xiaoguang has revealed that the government will only support a candidate who recognizes that the island is part of mainland China and who is willing to promote peace between both sides. While Chinese officials are careful not to show support for any particular candidate, this statement may betray the side that the government seems to be leaning towards.

The ongoing presidential contest in Taiwan is being fought between two women, Hung Hsiu-chu, who comes from the ruling Nationalist party, and Tsai Ing-wen, who is a member of the opposition pro-democracy party. While Tsai has remained silent about her view on Cross-Strait relationship, Hung has openly voiced support for China. She has even gone to the extent of calling Taiwan's independence "unconstitutional" and vowed to sign a peace treaty with China in favor of a European Union-like agreement between both nations, according to Thinking Taiwan.

TagsTaiwan, One China principle, China-Taiwan relations, China lifts entry requirements for Taiwanese