TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Tourism Bureau (觀光署) affirmed on Tuesday (Dec. 17) its unchanged stance of welcoming Chinese tourists and stating that preparations are complete, after the Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan (華源) announced plans to promote group tours from Shanghai to Taiwan at the "Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum." The bureau emphasized its readiness, building on the cross-strait tourism plans announced on Aug. 24 of last year. Officials will implement measures based on the specifics from China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism (中國大陸文旅部).
The bureau plans to continue promoting the resumption of cross-strait tourism exchanges based on the principle of reciprocity. Officials will conduct rolling reviews to ensure policies align with the interests of the public and the tourism industry. As the forum began Tuesday at the Regent Taipei (晶華酒店), the Chinese vice mayor extended a sincere invitation for Taipei residents and Taiwanese to visit Shanghai while expressing hope for increased visits from Shanghai citizens to Taipei.
Later in his remarks, he announced that the city would resume group tours to Taiwan, marking a significant milestone in post-pandemic travel between the two sides. "Shanghai stands as the first mainland Chinese city to officially restore group tours to Taiwan since the pandemic restrictions eased," he said.
