"I hope Taiwan and Hong Kong will continue to develop close civil and official ties," he said.

Currently an entry permit is required for Hong Kong residents to visit Taiwan.

Hong Kong visitors who have been to Taiwan after 1983 and plan to visit again can apply for an online visa, or a landing visa of 14 days at Taipei or Kaohsiung airports.

First-time visitors have to apply for a visa at the Chung Hwa Travel Service.

The tourism industry welcomes Ma's visa-free proposal.

Although the current visa application process is simple and quick, the visa-free proposal will be a big attraction to Hong Kong people to visit the island, Hong Thai Travel Services assistant general manager (Southeast Asia) Eileen Ho said.

Alcuin Li, general manager of Sunflower Travel Service, explained that the proposed policy will be of great convenience to Hongkongers, not to mention the visa application fee that will be saved.

Visa-free access will be a golden opportunity to both Hong Kong and Taiwan's tourism industries, especially with 2008 and 2009 being "Tour Taiwan Years", he added.

Li found that Hongkongers' interest in visiting Taiwan has grown after the "president" election in Taiwan last month.

Ho added trips to Taiwan are always among the most popular choices of Hong Thai customers.

(HK Edition 04/15/2008 page1)