BEIJING -- The number of Taiwan residents who paid their first visits to the Chinese mainland increased by 33 percent month on month in July, a mainland spokesperson said Wednesday.

The number of Taiwan residents who applied to mainland authorities for travel passes in July also rose by 22 percent month on month -- with applicants under 45 accounting for 72 percent of the total, indicating growing willingness among Taiwan youth to visit the mainland, said Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference.

Since July 1, the mainland has exempted those Taiwan residents who had never been to the mainland from paying application fees for their travel passes.

The mainland welcomes more Taiwan residents to visit and experience in person and more policies facilitating cross-Strait exchanges will be introduced, Zhu said.

She also hailed vibrant cross-Strait exchanges this summer in culture, sports and other fields, which were achieved despite disruptions from Taiwan authorities.