First individual Chinese tourists arrive in Taiwan (AP)

TAIPEI, Taiwan – The first individual Chinese tourists have begun arriving in Taiwan amid steadily warming ties between the two sides.

Dozens arrived Tuesday, underscoring Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's continuing efforts to forge closer China relations, the centerpiece of his 3-year-old administration.

Previously Chinese tourists could only travel to Taiwan in supervised groups.

Last year 1.6 million Chinese tourists visited the island.

Taiwan and China split amid civil war in 1949. Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as its territory.

View the original article here