BEIJING, April 12 β China announced a series of measures on Saturday aimed at boosting exchanges with Taiwan, following a rare visit to Beijing by a delegation from the island's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT). The announcement came on the final day of the visit led by KMT Vice Chairman Andrew Hsia.
The measures, outlined by China's Taiwan Affairs Office, include plans to increase the number of direct flight destinations across the Taiwan Strait, resume tourism for mainland Chinese groups to visit Taiwan, and facilitate the entry of agricultural and fishery products from Taiwan. The office stated the moves are intended to "benefit compatriots on both sides of the strait."
The KMT delegation's visit, which began on April 10, is the first high-level public exchange between the party and Chinese officials since Taiwan's presidential election in January. The trip has drawn criticism from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which views it as undermining the island's sovereignty. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, a position the DPP government strongly rejects.
Analysts note that the announced measures represent a calibrated approach by Beijing, offering economic incentives while maintaining political pressure. The developments occur against a backdrop of ongoing military and diplomatic tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
