Communication Channels

Information on Visits to Relatives in Mainland China

The Ministry of the Interior has drawn up regulations for local residents wishing to visit relatives in mainland China. Local residents (military personnel and government employees excluded) may make one visit each year lasting no more than three months. Those wishing to visit relatives shall apply to the Red Cross Society of China beforehand and shall complete a form for the Red Cross regarding their activities on the mainland upon their return. Applications are planned to begin being accepted on November 1st.

Applications to the Red Cross may be made at desks in the Taipei Headquarters of the Red Cross or Kaohsiung office of the Interior Ministry's Bureau of Entry and Exit. Applicants will be required to state the relatives, either by blood or marriage, that they intend to visit. No supporting documents or guarantors will be required.

The Red Cross will refer applications to the Bureau of Entry and Exit, which will handle them according to standard exit application procedures. Visas for visits to relatives on the mainland will cost NT$1,000.

To reduce the difficulties that local residents may encounter in visiting relatives on the mainland, the Red Cross will print an information handbook for applicants.

Rates for International Telephone Calls to Be Reduced Beginning January Next Year

In order to reflect the appreciation of the New Taiwan dollar and reduce the difference between international telephone charges in the ROC and the U.S., the Directorate General of Telecommunications (DGT) will comprehensively reduce its international telephone charges beginning January 1st next year. Rates for direct-dial international calls will decrease on average by 14 percent, and operator assisted international calls by 17 percent. The DGT's total annual receipts will decline by NT$640 million.

The DGT indicates that the three-step flexible rate system currently adopted for direct-dial calls to the U.S. will remain in effect. Rates for the portion of calls in excess of the first minute will be discounted proportionally greater.

Direct calls to other areas will adopt a two-step flexible rate. The portion in excess of the first minute will also be discounted to encourage longer calls.

The DGT says that the rates for operator-assisted international calls will be lowered mainly by simplifying the charge system and by reducing the rates for the portion of calls in excess of the first three minutes.

Express Mail Exchange Instituted with Djibouti

The Directorate General of Posts has begun to exchange international express mail with the Republic of Djibouti in northeast Africa as of October 1st.

Destinations are currently limited to Ali Sabieh, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, and Tadjourah.

Postage for express mail items is NT$460 for items under 500 grams, and NT$150 for each 500 grams or fraction thereof in excess.