A bank in East China's Fujian province has issued the first cross-Straits debit card, in association with a Taiwan duty-free shop chain.
The debit card was unveiled on Wednesday at Xiamen Bank, a mainland bank with investment from Taiwan.
The card can be used in Taiwan with preferential treatment in duty-free outlets affiliated with Ever Rich D.F.S Corp., the bank's partner. Card holders can withdraw money from all ATMs in Taiwan without commission and are entitled to various business services.
More than 3.4 million trips were made from the mainland to Taiwan in 2015. Duty-free shops in Taiwan are among the most popular destinations.
Xiamen Bank was founded in 1996. In 2008, it became the first commercial bank on the mainland to draw Taiwan capital, with Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd. as a strategic investor.
A woman pushes a stroller past Xiamen Bank in Xiamen city, East China's Fujian province, on May 3, 2014. [Photo/IC]
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
