KMT and TPP opposition lawmakers on Tuesday passed a resolution calling on the DPP administration to lift the ban on Taiwanese group travel to China. The resolution also prioritizes the “three mini links” transportation network, to allow Chinese tourists to visit the outlying islands of Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu.
The government suspended the transportation links when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in February 2020. The decision has negatively affected the economic situation in the outlying islands, which heavily rely on tourism.
The Travel Agent Association of Taiwan (TAAT) Chairman Hsiao Po-jen (蕭博仁) on Wednesday praised the move by the Legislature and asked the government to respect public opinion. Hsiao says the resolution is a good excuse for the DPP administration to lift the restrictions on cross-strait tourism without losing face. He adds that the restriction measures are unreasonable, illegal and unconstitutional. Hsiao also criticized the DPP government's decision to raise the travel warning for China to an orange alert in June. He threatened to take the issue to the Supreme Court should the government refuse to follow the resolution.
In response, the DPP caucus emphasized it was the Chinese government that restricted cross-strait tourism. The Tourism Administration says they will discuss with the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and give a public statement on the issue.