Tourexpi
China to resume cross-strait water tourism with Taiwan
China plans to resume cross-strait water tourism with
Taiwan, allowing residents of Shanghai to travel to the Taiwan-governed islands
of Kinmen and Matsu. The decision was announced on Wednesday by the Ministry of
Culture and Tourism of China, which described the move as part of broader
efforts to normalize exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.
Focus on people-to-people exchanges
In a statement, the ministry said the resumption of
tourism is intended to “normalize cross-Strait people-to-people exchanges and
regularize interactions across various fields,” while responding to strong
expectations from Taiwan residents and the tourism sector. The aim, it added,
is to enhance the interests and well-being of people on both sides of the
Strait.
Preparations for reopening the routes are currently
under way. The ministry expressed hope that tourism authorities and businesses
on both sides would strengthen communication and coordination to ensure
high-quality services and products for mainland travelers visiting Kinmen and
Matsu.
Official reactions from Beijing
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan
Affairs Office, said the decision reflects “the strong desire of people on both
sides of the Taiwan Strait for closer exchanges,” as well as what he described
as mainstream public opinion in Taiwan favoring peace, development, and
cooperation. Speaking to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, Chen also called on
Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party to lift restrictions on
cross-strait visits and cooperation, and to restore travel by mainland residents
to Taiwan.
Political context of the announcement
The announcement coincided with a visit to China by a
delegation from Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang, which traveled to Beijing for a
think-tank forum with the Chinese Communist Party. During the visit, China’s
top political advisor Wang Huning met with the delegation and urged joint
efforts to oppose Taiwan independence and what he termed external interference.
The planned resumption of cross-strait water tourism
marks a notable development in cross-Strait relations, reintroducing a form of
travel that has both economic and symbolic significance amid ongoing political
sensitivities.
Image
Credit: © AA
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