Hsiao Hsu-tsen, vice chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, expressed his support for the mainland's imminent resumption of tourism by Shanghai residents to Kinmen and Matsu.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the decision on Wednesday, noting that 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.
Hsiao made the statement during his visit to the mainland, where he participated in the Thinktank Forum between the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang. This forum had been suspended for over nine years, making its resumption a significant step in promoting dialogue and cooperation between the two sides. The forum was attended by over 100 participants from both sides of the Strait, including think tank members of the CPC and the KMT, as well as representatives and experts from various fields such as tourism, industry, science and technology, healthcare, and environmental protection.
"The main purpose of our visit this time is to voice the concerns of people and industries in Taiwan and to build a communication platform covering areas such as tourism, healthcare, and disaster prevention. After we submitted joint proposals yesterday, the mainland immediately made this positive policy announcement. I believe the Kuomintang has delivered concrete results, even though some in Taiwan's 'green camp' criticized us and made some sarcastic remarks.This positive response demonstrates that we are building an effective platform of mutual trust," said Hsiao.
KMT welcomes resumption of travel for Shanghai residents to Kinmen, Matsu
At least 21 more Palestinians, including children and a paramedic, were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, said the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Civil Defense, said that the Israeli army had been carrying out artillery and airstrikes on Gaza City and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip since dawn, targeting tents sheltering displaced people and residential buildings.
In the latest attack, an Israeli drone struck a tent housing displaced people in the al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, killing three, including two women and a paramedic, according to Basal.
"All the children were terrified and screaming because of the sound of the bombardment. My children ran toward me because of the explosions. I tried to calm them down, but smoke was everywhere around us," said Fatima Al-Astal, a displaced Palestinian woman living near the attacked tent.
"Paramedic Hussein was among the first ambulance crews to arrive at the scene. He managed to retrieve two bodies. Due to the large number of casualties, he was forced to return again to rescue the injured. At that moment, the area was targeted once more, which led to his killing," said Yassin Mutair, director of the Khan Younis Ambulance Center.
Basal added that 14 people, including three children and five women, were killed and several others were wounded in artillery shelling on the outskirts of the Zeitoun and Tuffah neighborhoods east of Gaza City. Some of the wounded were taken to Al-Shifa Medical Complex.
Earlier, four people, including a child, were killed in Israeli artillery shelling that targeted tents sheltering displaced people in the Qizan Rashwan area south of Khan Younis. The victims were taken to Nasser Medical Complex in the city.
Also on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that militants opened fire on its troops during routine operations near the northern Gaza border, severely injuring an Israeli reserve officer.
"Upon identifying the fire, IDF armored units and IAF aircraft conducted precise strikes in the area. The IDF views this attack as a blatant violation of the current ceasefire agreement," it said.
In response, Hamas dismissed the Israeli claim as a "flimsy pretext" to justify continued killings in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli escalation was "an attempt to impose a permanent reality of abuse and terrorism in Gaza," in flagrant disregard for the terms of the ceasefire agreement and existing understandings, Hamas said, calling for immediate international pressure to stop Israel's violations.
Since a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect on Oct. 10, 2025, Israel has killed 556 Palestinians and wounded 1,500 others, according to Gaza-based health authorities on Wednesday.
At least 21 more Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza Strip: civil defense
