HONG KONG: Hong Kong's government will relax travel restrictions on Taiwanese visitors in 2009 as part of its effort to improve business and tourist links, chief executive Donald Tsang said Wednesday.

In his annual policy address, Tsang said Hong Kong's immigration department would lift existing restrictions that limit Taiwanese visitors to two entry applications each within any 30-day period.

The government will also extend the limit of stay in Hong Kong for Taiwanese visitors from 14 days to 30 days for holders of certain visas, he said.

The measures will "provide greater convenience for frequent business visitors and tourists from Taiwan," he said.

Tsang said he had appointed Financial Secretary John Tsang to head an inter-departmental steering committee which aims to design action plans on closer economic and trade ties with Taiwan.

He added that the government is also encouraging industrial and business leaders from both sides to form a Hong Kong-Taiwan Business Co-operation Committee.

Trade and travel links between China and Taiwan have been severely restricted since the two sides split at the end of a civil war in 1949.

Although relations have thawed in recent months, Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

- AFP/yt