The Chinese mainland will soon resume tourism by Shanghai residents to Kinmen and Matsu, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on Wednesday.
The resumption is intended to further normalize cross-Strait people-to-people exchanges and make exchanges across various fields a regular practice, respond to the strong expectations of Taiwan residents and the tourism industry, and enhance the well-being of people on both sides of the Strait, the ministry said.
The ministry added that preparatory work is progressing steadily and expressed the hope that tourism sectors on both sides of the Strait will strengthen communication and coordination to provide high-quality goods and services for mainland residents traveling to Kinmen and Matsu.
Following the announcement, Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press briefing on Wednesday that the mainland has always adhered to the principle that "People across the Taiwan Strait belong to one family" and consistently supported normalization of personnel exchanges and regular interactions in various fields across the Strait to bring benefits to compatriots in Taiwan.
He described the policy move as a practical step that responds to the shared desire among people on both sides to enhance exchanges and cooperation. "It reflects the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, which calls for peace, development, interaction and cooperation," Chen said, adding that the mainland "actively supports and welcomes this."
The spokesperson also urged the Taiwan authorities to heed mainstream public opinions and voices from the local tourism industry by removing restrictions on cross-Strait travel and exchanges.
Travel by Shanghai residents to Kinmen, Matsu set to resume
