The Chinese mainland is accelerating implementation of 10 new measures to enhance cross-strait cooperation, with recent travel data showing a 27.6% year-on-year increase in Taiwan visitors during Q1 2024. State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua urged Taiwan authorities on Wednesday to address public demand by lifting restrictions that hinder normalized exchanges.
New policies announced April 12 include expanded individual travel permissions for Shanghai and Fujian residents, along with streamlined market access for qualified Taiwan food producers. These developments follow a notable 11.8% rise in mainland-issued travel permits for Taiwan residents this year.
"The Democratic Progressive Party authorities must recognize the shared interests across the strait," Chen stated, emphasizing the mainland's commitment to practical cooperation frameworks. The measures aim to build on recent momentum, with cross-strait exchanges recovering to pre-2020 levels for the first time this spring.
