Mainland sees marked increase in visitors from Taiwan in H1

BEIJING, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- In the first half of this year, the number of Taiwan residents visiting the mainland increased by seven times year on year, a mainland spokesperson said Wednesday.

Cross-Strait exchanges had gained more steam during the summer vacation, said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, during a press conference.

Chen attributed the increase in