Taiwan Urges Beijing to Stop Politicizing Travel and Welcome Back Tourists
Taipei, Taiwan – In a statement on Wednesday, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) of Taiwan urged China to refrain from politicizing cross-strait travel and lift all existing restrictions. Taiwan reaffirmed its welcoming stance towards Chinese tourists, emphasizing that as long as the Chinese authorities do not impose political conditions, Taiwanese destinations remain open to visitors.
At a news conference, Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑), Deputy Head and Spokesperson of the MAC, emphasized that Taiwan is fully prepared to host Chinese tourists, but insisted that Beijing should not use travel restrictions as a political tool or leverage for coercion. He underscored that Taiwan is eager for people-to-people exchanges and remains open to tourism without political interference.
Taiwan’s Appeal for Unconditional Tourism
“Taiwan has made all the necessary arrangements to welcome back Chinese tourists,” Liang stated. “But we insist that the Chinese side should refrain from politicizing travel, attaching conditions, or using the suspension of tourism as a means of pressure. If China acts politically, we will respond accordingly,” he warned.
Liang’s remarks followed a speech by Hua Yuan (華源), Vice Mayor of Shanghai, at the 15th Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum held in Taipei on Tuesday. Hua indicated that he would push for groups of Shanghai residents to visit Taiwan, particularly Taipei, signaling a potential shift in tourism policy.
However, despite this optimistic outlook, the current situation remains largely unchanged. Chinese tourism to Taiwan has been severely restricted for over four years, with only residents of Fujian Province allowed to visit the Taiwan-controlled Kinmen and Matsu islands. The Chinese government has yet to lift these restrictions for broader tourism.
Political Tensions Surround Tourism Discussions
On the Chinese side, Zhu Fenglian (朱鳳蓮), a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), expressed support for the resumption of cross-strait travel. Zhu welcomed the idea of Shanghai residents visiting Taiwan, reflecting a broader desire among the public in both Taiwan and China for more exchanges. However, Zhu’s comments were met with a reminder from Liang that the resumption of tourism will depend on whether China lifts the travel ban, something that can only be decided by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), not the Shanghai government or the TAO.
Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱), Taiwan’s Minister of Transportation, also reiterated Taiwan’s position, urging China to lift political restrictions on tourism and allow Chinese citizens to visit Taiwan freely. Chen’s statement reflects the government’s position that travel should not be used as a political tool.
Cross-Strait Tourism and Business Relations
The business community in Taiwan has welcomed the prospect of renewed cross-strait exchanges. Lin Por-fong (林伯豐), Chairperson of the Third Wednesday Association, an organization consisting of Taiwanese business leaders, expressed optimism about the positive impact of the Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum. The association hopes to see increased interactions between the two sides, including tourism, business exchanges, and media visits to Taiwan.
Despite the positive rhetoric, Taiwan remains cautious and insists that political motives should not be part of the dialogue surrounding cross-strait exchanges, including tourism.
Table: Key Points of the Cross-Strait Travel Issue
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Statement | Wednesday, [Date of Statement] |
| Main Taiwan Agencies | Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Ministry of Transportation (Taiwan) |
| Chinese Side Involved | Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) |
| Current Restrictions | Only Fujian residents allowed to visit Kinmen and Matsu islands |
| Political Concerns | Taiwan urges China to avoid attaching political conditions to tourism |
| Resumption Conditions | Depends on lifting of the Chinese travel ban by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism |
| Industry Response | Taiwanese business leaders call for more cross-strait exchanges |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the current status of Chinese tourism to Taiwan?
Chinese tourism to Taiwan has been largely suspended for over four years. Only residents of Fujian Province are permitted to visit Taiwan’s Kinmen and Matsu islands.
What is Taiwan’s stance on Chinese tourists visiting?
Taiwan has expressed a strong willingness to welcome back Chinese tourists, provided that Beijing does not attach political conditions or use tourism as a political tool.
What did the Shanghai Vice Mayor propose?
Hua Yuan, the Vice Mayor of Shanghai, proposed the idea of organizing groups of Shanghai residents to visit Taiwan, particularly the capital city, Taipei. This remark came during the Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum.
What is Taiwan’s position on the political aspects of cross-strait travel?
Taiwan urges China to lift the restrictions without political motives and to allow travel between the two regions based on mutual interest and without political interference.
How does Taiwan view the resumption of cross-strait exchanges?
Taiwan sees the resumption of travel and exchanges as beneficial for business, tourism, and cultural exchanges. However, it stresses that such exchanges should be free of political manipulation.
