China to scrap [Taiwan] travel ban, tariffs: There are currently many restrictions on mainland Chinese going to Taiwan--not just from the Chinese side. Ordinary citizens cannot go as tourists to the island as they need invitations from Taiwan groups, such as professional delegations or academic institutions. "Tourism administration and all relevant parties on the mainland welcome organizations from Taiwan's tourism industry to start consultations with us on an earlier date in order to make detailed arrangements accordingly," Xinhua quoted Chen Yunlin, Minister of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, as saying. China said Taiwanese made 3.7 million trips to the mainland in 2004, while only 145,000 mainlanders visited Taiwan. Most stories about the concessions made after Lee Teng-hui's current visit to Beijing are scant on details about the lifting of the tourism restrictions. I hope we can get some expert comments and/or inside information on this development from members of the Oriental-List.