BEIJING - The number of Chinese mainland tourists visiting Taiwan this year is likely to top 1.2 million, a mainland spokesperson said Wednesday.

The number totaled 1.1 million by Dec 3, Yang Yi, spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular press conference in Beijing.

In 2009, the number of mainland tourists that visited Taiwan totaled 606,200.

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The two sides are likely to start trialing mainlanders' individual travel to Taiwan "some time next year," Yang said.

The mainland-based Cross-Straits Tourism Exchange Association (CTEA) reached "an initial common understanding" with the Taiwan Straits Tourism Association in recent talks, he added.

"Visits by individuals will promote personal exchange, which is a good thing. We will actively push forward the negotiations," he said, noting that the mainland has been preparing for the trial run.

Since July 2008, Taiwan has allowed mainland tourists to travel to the island on package tours with stays of up to 15 days.