TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In response to China's announcement to promote group travel from Shanghai to Taiwan, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) on Tuesday (Dec. 17) stated it is prepared for this initiative. Vice Shanghai Mayor Hua Yuan (華源) plans to promote group travel from Shanghai to Taiwan, including routes through Taipei. The announcement was made during the Taipei-Shanghai City Forum (台北上海城市論壇), which was held in Taipei.
MAC clarified that it would respond accordingly based on the formal announcement by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT, 文化和旅遊部) regarding the opening of travel. MAC also noted that previously, only Fujian residents could travel to Taiwan. The council expressed uncertainty about the authority behind Shanghai's unilateral announcement.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) welcomed the development, emphasizing the city's readiness to collaborate with various parties to foster industrial growth across Taipei and Taiwan. He stated that Taipei is pleased to see measures that promote industrial development.
Earlier this year, in April, the MCT announced the resumption of travel for Fujian residents to Matsu and Taiwan following the reopening of the Pingtan (平潭)-Taiwan ferry route. In August, after lobbying efforts by Kinmen representatives in Beijing, the ministry further reinstated travel for Fujian residents to Kinmen, with such travel now in effect.
