Shanghai will welcome Formula One fans from Taiwan Province when it hosts the event later this month, organizers of the China Grand Prix announced yesterday.

Shanghai vice mayor Zhao Wen (left) gives an F1 poster to Lin Sheng-Fen of the China Times Group yesterday. [Shanghai Daily]

The China GP organizer Juss Event said yesterday it had reached an agreement with the province's biggest media establishment China Times Group. The group was granted the Formula One broadcasting rights for Taiwan. The group's travel agency is offering package deals, that includes F1 tickets and some Shanghai sights, to fans in Taiwan.

The realization of Cross-Strait flights between Taiwan and Chinese mainland late last year helped in the arrangement. It takes only about an hour and a half to reach Shanghai from Taipei city.

Shanghai has made arrangements to offer Taiwanese snacks during the race weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Juss Event said it hopes to strike similar deals for the ATP Masters Series that will be staged in Shanghai in October.

The season opening Formula One race was held in Melbourne, Australia, last weekend with Malaysia due to stage the second race this weekend. Shanghai will host the race from April 17-19.

(Shanghai Daily April 1, 2009)