TAIPEI (TVBS News) — China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism (大陸文旅部) on Monday (Sept. 30) expressed its hope that mainland residents can soon travel to Taiwan while urging Taiwanese authorities to ensure smooth cross-strait exchanges for the well-being of the Taiwanese people.
Vice Minister Zhang Zheng (張政) highlighted at a State Council Information Office (國務院新聞辦公室) press conference that Fujian (福建) residents have begun traveling to Matsu (馬祖) and Kinmen (金門). He predicted a tourism peak during China's National Day holiday.
In late April, when the Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) legislative caucus visited China, Vice Minister Rao Quan (饒權) announced the resumption of Fujian residents' travel to Matsu. This followed the reopening of direct maritime passenger routes from Pingtan to Taiwan.
On Aug. 22 and Sept. 27, Fujian Province announced the resumption of travel permit applications for Fujian residents to visit Matsu and Kinmen. Mainland tourists can now use the "mini three links" routes.
Zhang Zheng emphasized the ministry's commitment to creating outstanding cultural works, enhancing public cultural services, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting the high-quality development of the tourism industry. He also mentioned efforts to bring Chinese culture to the world.
With China's National Day holiday approaching, the culture and tourism ministry will host various cultural and tourism activities.
These include exhibitions of excellent stage performances, a national art troupe performance season, a National Day culture and tourism consumption month, a rural creative lifestyle season, and nearly 1,000 intangible cultural heritage-themed events.
