On Sunday, the Taiwan authorities' council for mainland affairs announced a ban on journalists from the mainland's official Xinhua News Agency and People's Daily from covering news on the island.

The province's media criticized the decision the same day, with the United Daily News saying it was "the most serious setback in media exchange across the Taiwan Straits" and that "the decision will be laughed at by the international community."

The article also said that in the past, media exchange across the Straits seldom involved political disputes and was barely affected by the political climate.

The council said the decision was part of an overall review of exchange in press across the Straits.

In 2000, the Taiwan authorities announced a limited opening to journalists from the Chinese mainland.

To date, five mainland official news organizations, Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, China Central Television (CCTV), China National Radio and China News Service, have established standing bureaus on the island.

In December 1996, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council approved ten Taiwan news media to cover news on the mainland.

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2005)