The French Polynesian president, Gaston Flosse, says he will try to make it easier for Chinese travellers to get visas in his bid to revive the struggling tourism industry.
Mr Flosse has spent several days in China in efforts to win support for his suggestion to get Chinese airliners to stop in Tahiti to refuel on their way to South America.
The head of China's civil aviation authorities, Li Jiaxing, has reportedly said resolving the visa issue is a pre-condition for any such development.
While supporting the air link plans, he says it is up to the Chinese carriers to determine if such a link is profitable.
Mr Flosse has also visited the headquarters of Hainan Airlines whose leaders have expressed interest in flying the route.
