Bangkok– China said on Sunday it would resume some suspended ties with Taiwan, such as direct flights to cities across China and imports of Taiwanese aquaculture products, as the leader of the island’s opposition party concluded his visit.
The Taiwan Work Office under the Communist Party of China issued a statement saying it would explore establishing a long-term communication mechanism between the Communist Party and Taiwan’s Kuomintang Party, and facilitate the import of Taiwan’s aquaculture products after they were banned in recent years.
Kuomintang chief Cheng Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a high-profile meeting Both called for peace Friday without making specific offers. Taiwan is self-ruled but China claims the island.
Relations between China and Taiwan have been tense since 2016 when the people of Taiwan elected Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party as president. Since then, Beijing ceased most of its official negotiations with Taiwan’s government in the capital, Taipei, and began sending military aircraft and ships toward the island on a daily basis.
The list of measures in the statement touches on ties that China had suspended in recent years as tensions rose.
China plans to resume direct flights to Taiwan from other mainland cities such as Xi’an or Urumqi, the statement said, though it was unclear how the measures would be implemented.
China personal visits banned In Taiwan by Chinese people in 2019. Taiwan’s regulations now require Chinese visitors to hold a valid resident visa from another country, such as the US or EU, to apply for a visitor visa.
China also said it would work towards building a bridge that would connect Taiwan’s Matsu and Kinmen islands which are geographically close to China. The project is a long-term proposal that Beijing has previously announced.
China banned imports of Taiwanese pineapples in 2021 and has since extended import restrictions on various products such as grouper fish, squid, tuna and other fruits.
Following the initial ban on grouper, Taiwan’s Agriculture Ministry said it contacted China to make adjustments to meet import requirements. China responded with a limited list of individual companies that were allowed to sell to China, but without any explanation.
Taiwan said it would “continuously assist farmers and businesses to expand into overseas markets” to diversify risks, according to a statement released Saturday.
