China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced Friday that China will resume some group tours of Taiwan “in the near future.”
The move will allow residents of Fujian, China’s closest province to Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait to travel to the self-ruled island.
However, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism did not give any specific timeline for the resumption of group tours.
Why does China want to resume group tours in Taiwan?
The ministry said the visits would “promote the interests and well-being” of people on both sides of the strait.
It also said the move would “further promote the normalization of cross-Strait personnel exchanges.”
There was no immediate response from the Taiwan government.
Tense relations between China and Taiwan
China and Taiwan maintain restrictions on cross-strait travel.
In June last year, Taiwan raised its travel warning to China and asked its citizens not to visit the country unless absolutely necessary.
The travel warning was issued after Beijing threatened to execute “radical” supporters of Taiwan independence.
Beijing views the self-ruled island as part of its territory.
In recent years, China has stepped up efforts to isolate Taipei diplomatically by severing its allies.
It has also increased military pressure by conducting large-scale military exercises around the island.
ESS/SMS (AFP, Reuters)
