Beijing, China – China’s top tourism administrator is scheduled to arrive in Taipei Feb. 22 for a weeklong visit for cross-Taiwan Strait tourism promotion, according to a report posted on the China News Service website on Wednesday.

The report by one of China’s largest state-run news agencies said Shao Qiwei, director of the National Tourism Administration, will visit Taiwan Feb. 22-March 1 at the head of a delegation composed of more than 400 tourism officials and travel service executives.

During his stay, Shao will meet with Taiwanese travel service representatives and tourism officials as well as visit Taiwan’s major toruist attractions and facilities, the report said.

In addition, Shao will attend a forum to discuss with local tour operators innovative measures to boost cross-strait tourist exchanges and explore feasible cooperative projects.

It is also being closely watched whether he will talk with his Taiwanese counterpart on the permission for Chinese citizens to make independent trips to Taiwan.

The two sides have been in talks on the new opening measures and, according to sources familiar with the affairs, may soon strike a deal on the matter.

The Taipei-based United Evening News reported Wednesday that the two sides have resolved most of the issues involved in the new opening policy and that only some technical details remain to be worked out.

The paper further said Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau looks forward to realizing the new cross-strait travel liberalization policy in the first half of this year.

To date, Chinese nationals are only allowed to make group tours of Taiwan.