China tourists noticeable by their absence in Taiwan as ties wilt

Tourists from China get on a tourist bus in Taipei, Taiwan May 5, 2016. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo

TAIPEI (Reuters) - An hour after the shopping mall in the Taipei 101 tower opened its doors on Friday, fewer than 10 customers were wandering its marble floors which just a few months ago had been mobbed with Chinese tourists all day long.

The fall in Chinese tourists is being felt throughout self-ruled Taiwan, triggering a drop in business for hotels and travel agents and prompting the first major protest by the tourism sector at the deteriorating relations with Communist Party rulers in Beijing since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May.