Transportation and Communications Minister Wang Kwo-tsai (王國財) said that the Taiwanese government has shown good intentions to recover two-way tourism between Taiwan and China on Monday. Wang’s comment is a response to the Chinese government’s criticism that the announcement to lift the travel ban against Chinese tourists is merely a hollow gesture rather than taking concrete action.
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) made an announcement to lift its travel ban against Chinese citizens last Thursday since domestic tourist agencies are making a post-pandemic comeback.
The policy change will allow Chinese citizens to enter Taiwan from a third location, meaning they are not entering Taiwan directly from mainland China. Chinese travelers visiting Taiwan in group tours are capped at a maximum of 2,000 visitors per day starting in September.
Wang said the Taiwanese government is committed to a healthy and orderly exchange between both sides of the strait and is still waiting to receive a positive response from China.
A one-month schedule has been mapped out to prepare for the arrival of Chinese tourist groups, including tour guide training, itinerary planning, and tourist reception capabilities. The exact date of implementation has yet to be decided.