Taiwan physicians with at least five years of experience will be allowed to work on the Chinese mainland, a spokesman with the Ministry of Health said on Wednesday.

Applicants must have physician certificates and at least five years of experience as of the end of 2007, said ministry spokesman Mao Qun'an. They must be currently working in medical institutions in Taiwan.

Applicants who do not meet these requirements must first pass the mainland's physician certificate examination, the spokesman said.

"We welcome physicians from Taiwan to work on the mainland," he said. "This will help boost academic communication between both sides of the Taiwan Strait."

People from Taiwan who work and study on the mainland will also benefit from the policy as they will be able to receive treatment from medical staff they are familiar with, Mao said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2008)