After a meeting with KMT Legislative Caucus Convener Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) and a delegation of 16 KMT legislators on April 27, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Chairman Wang Huning (王滬寧) expressed China’s intent to resume cross-strait sea and air travel. However, Taiwan’s Transportation and Communications Minister Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) highlighted the disparity between China’s offer and Taiwan’s expectations.
Wang Huning indicated China’s intent to allow passengers from Fujian to travel to Matsu. He said that tour groups from Fujian will be allowed to travel to Taiwan after sea travel between Pingtan and Taiwan is restored. Beginning May 6, citizens from Beijing, Shanghai, and 18 other Chinese cities will be able to apply online for travel permits. In an interview Monday, Wang Kwo-tsai said that this falls short of his expected return to pre-pandemic levels of free travel to and from 47 Chinese cities. Currently, there are only 15 direct flight points and 13 charter flight points across the Taiwan Strait.
Wang said inter-departmental meetings will be held in June regarding Taiwan’s ban on China-bound tour groups. Decisions will be made accordingly if China is open to free travel and tourism.