On Sunday, China revealed plans to partially restore some suspended connections with Taiwan, which includes reintroducing direct flights and allowing imports of Taiwanese seafood. This decision comes after a visit from leaders of Taiwan’s opposition, who favor closer ties to China.
The Taiwan Work Office of the Chinese Communist Party stated it might establish a continuous communication link with the Taiwan Nationalist Party. This step is intended to facilitate the importation of Taiwanese aquaculture goods that had been banned earlier.
During a notable meeting on Friday, Nationalist Party leader Cheng Liyun and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed peace, although they did not provide any specific proposals. China maintains its claim over Taiwan and hasn’t dismissed the potential for using force to annex the island.
The Mainland Affairs Commission in Taiwan criticized the new steps as “political deals” that bypass Taiwan’s government, underscoring their stance that any important issues between the two sides should involve negotiations based on equality and respect.
Relations between the two have grown tense since 2016, when President Tsai Ing-wen, representing the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, took office. Since then, China has significantly limited formal communications with Taiwan and has increased military activities, moving warships and fighter jets closer to the island.
In its announcement, China mentioned a plan to restart direct flights between Taiwan and several mainland cities like Xi’an and Urumqi, though it’s still vague on how this will be executed without Taiwanese governmental consent. Following a ban on private travel to Taiwan imposed in 2019, Taiwan’s current regulations require that Chinese tourists hold a valid visa from another country to obtain a tourist visa.
Furthermore, China intends to develop a bridge connecting the mainland with Taiwan’s Matsu and Kinmen islands, which are nearer to the Chinese territory—a proposal that’s been around for quite some time.
Since 2021, China has been restricting the import of various Taiwanese products, starting with pineapples and later expanding the ban to other items like grouper, squid, and tuna. Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture has sought after China for adjustments regarding import requirements and has received a narrowed list of companies permitted to export to China, although the reasons for this limitation remain unclear.
