TAIPEI (TVBS News) — China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO, 國台辦) announced on Wednesday (Dec. 25) that China is eager to resume travel to Taiwan, including for residents of Shanghai, and is actively researching ways to expand tourism from the mainland. TAO Spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華) urged the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) to create conditions for normalizing cross-strait tourism rather than creating obstacles.
Chen responded to remarks from Dec. 18 by Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑), questioning whether Taiwan has lifted its "ban on group tours." He also inquired about the pending response to Taiwanese operators' applications for chartered trips from Pingtan to Taiwan. Chen noted that the DPP briefly lifted the ban on mainland tours in March, only to reinstate it in June and refuse to lift it again in August 2023, citing the "principle of reciprocity."
Chen emphasized that the root of cross-strait tourism issues lies entirely with the DPP, calling on them to self-reflect, correct mistakes, and remove barriers to personnel exchanges and cooperation. He stated that authorities have prepared for cross-strait flights for New Year's Day 2025, winter vacation, and the Lunar New Year holiday, urging Chinese airlines and airports to provide high-quality, convenient services. As cross-strait relations remain tense, Chen's statements highlight the ongoing challenges and potential opportunities for tourism between Taiwan and mainland China.
