China says it will resume some ties with Taiwan including more direct flights
BANGKOK (AP) — China said Sunday it will resume some suspended ties with Taiwan, such as direct flights to cities across China and imports of seafood from Taiwan, after the leader of the island’s opposition party wraps up a visit.
The Taiwan Labor Office of the Communist Party of China issued a statement saying it would explore establishing a long-standing communication mechanism between the Communist Party and Taiwan’s Kuomingtang Party and facilitate the import of Taiwan’s aquaculture products after they were banned in recent years.
Kuomingtang chief Cheng Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a high-profile meeting On Friday, both called for peace, without providing details. Taiwan is self-governing, but China claims the island is part of its territory.
Relations between China and Taiwan have been tense since 2016, when Taiwanese people elected Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party as president. Beijing has since cut off most of its official dialogue with the Taiwanese government in the capital Taipei and began sending military planes and ships to the island on a daily basis.
The list of measures included in the statement touches on relations that China has suspended due to increased tensions in recent years.
The statement stated that China plans to continue direct flights to Taiwan from other mainland cities such as Xi’an or Urumqi, but it remains unclear how the measures will be implemented.
Chinese Prohibition of individual trips To Taiwan by the Chinese in 2019. Taiwan’s rules now require Chinese visitors to have a valid residence visa from another country, such as the United States or the European Union, to apply for a visitor visa.
China has also said it will work to build a bridge that will connect the Taiwanese islands of Matsu and Kinmen, which are geographically closer to China. The project is a long-standing proposal that Beijing has previously announced.
China banned the import of Taiwanese pineapples in 2021 and has since expanded the import ban to include various products such as grouper fish, squid, tuna and other fruits.
Following the initial ban on grouper, Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture said it approached China about making adjustments to ensure it met import requirements. China responded with a limited list of individual companies allowed to sell to China, but no explanation.
Taiwan added that it would “continuously assist farmers and businesses to expand into overseas markets” in a bid to diversify risk, according to a statement released on Saturday.
