TAIPEI, May 15 -- Taiwan's mainland affairs office said on Thursday that the island will improve education and living conditions for mainland students.

Taiwan wants to attract the students to boost cross-Strait communication between young people, said Wu Mei-hung, mainland affairs deputy chief.

According to Wu, Taiwan authorities have eased measures to recruit mainland students, including recognizing mainland universities and colleges, increasing numbers of mainland students and streamlining registration procedures.

As of January, the number of mainland students allowed to study in the island was about 2,850, 1 percent of the total enrollment number. Taiwan's educational authorities hope to increase the number to 5,700 by later this year.