Mainland unveils package of policies, measures to boost ties with Taiwan

Authorities on the Chinese mainland have put forward a package of 10 policies and measures to boost exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait.

The Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee unveiled the package on Sunday, saying it aims to advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and enhance the kinship and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait.

The announcement came as a delegation from the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, led by its chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, is wrapping up a mainland visit from Tuesday to Sunday.

Efforts will be made to explore the establishment of a regular communication mechanism between the CPC and the KMT, and an institutionalized platform will be set up to promote two-way exchanges between young people from the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, the office said in a statement.

Steps will be taken to push the coastal areas of Fujian Province -- the mainland province closest to Taiwan -- to share water, electricity, and gas supplies with Kinmen and Matsu, and promote the construction of sea-crossing bridges linking the two areas, when conditions permit.

The mainland will fast-track the full resumption of regular direct flights across the Taiwan Strait, including flights to and from mainland cities of Urumqi, Xi'an, Harbin, Kunming and Lanzhou.

Kinmen will be supported to use the new airport built in its adjacent city of Xiamen in Fujian Province.

A communication mechanism will be set up on the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence" to facilitate the entry of Taiwan's agricultural and fishery products that meet the quarantine standards into the mainland.

The mainland will explore building wharves and berths in regions where conditions permit for distant-water fishing vessels from the Taiwan region, and mull providing convenience for the sale of their fish catch on the mainland, according to the statement.

It will also facilitate registration procedures for qualified Taiwan food manufacturers and the entry of their food products into the mainland market.

According to the statement, the mainland will explore the establishment of more trading markets for small-ticket items with Taiwan, and support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from Taiwan to expand business on the mainland.

The statement noted that qualified TV shows, documentaries and animations from Taiwan can be aired on the mainland, adding that people from Taiwan can participate in micro drama production on the mainland in various forms.

The mainland will also promote the resumption of individual tours for Shanghai and Fujian residents to Taiwan, the statement said.

Mainland unveils package of policies, measures to boost ties with Taiwan

Lebanon's Health Ministry said Saturday that Israeli strikes during the latest round of fighting have killed 2,020 people and wounded 6,436 others since hostilities escalated.

The ministry said the toll reflects cumulative casualties recorded across multiple regions amid continued Israeli airstrikes and cross-border exchanges of fire.

On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that Israeli forces engaged in close-range firefights with Hezbollah militants, striking multiple targets and killing several militants while seizing various weapons. In the past 24 hours, the IDF targeted over 200 Hezbollah sites within Lebanon and continued to target Hezbollah rocket launchers to prevent attacks against Israel.

Additionally, the IDF's Home Front Command has tightened public safety guidelines, suspending or limiting educational activities in border communities, Upper Galilee, and Haifa Bay, while also restricting the size of gatherings in those areas.

Hezbollah, in its statement, claimed that its operations in southern Lebanon continued, attacking Israeli tanks and personnel. The group also targeted Israeli military infrastructure, soldiers, and vehicles in northern Israel.

The escalation followed renewed hostilities involving Hezbollah, which said it launched rockets from southern Lebanon toward Israel on March 2 for the first time since a ceasefire on Nov. 27, 2024. The exchange prompted Israel to expand its military campaign across Lebanon.

Lebanon has since been hit by sustained strikes in several areas, with fighting spreading beyond border regions into other parts of the country.

Iran and the United States agreed to a ceasefire on Wednesday. Israel said it would abide by the truce but argued the agreement does not apply to Lebanon. That assertion was rejected by Iran and by mediator Pakistan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that the disarmament of Hezbollah is a prerequisite for any ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.

In a video statement, he said Lebanon had approached Israel several times over the past month seeking to begin direct talks following Israeli military actions.

"I approved this, subject to two conditions: we want to achieve the disarmament of Hezbollah, and we want a real peace agreement that will last for generations," Netanyahu said.

Death toll from Israeli attacks in Lebanon reaches 2,020