In a significant step to enhance cross-strait ties, residents of Shanghai gained a new avenue for travel and cultural exchange this week. Beginning Tuesday, April 29, 2026, Shanghai residents are eligible to apply for group or individual travel to the islands of Kinmen and Matsu.
The announcement, made by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, outlines a straightforward process. Interested residents can register with qualified travel agencies based in Shanghai or Fujian Province, followed by an application for the necessary travel endorsements with local exit-entry administration authorities.
These island groups, located just off the coast of southeast China's Fujian Province, are historically and geographically significant for cross-strait relations. Kinmen, for instance, is a mere 10 kilometers from the bustling city of Xiamen, making it a popular destination for fostering exchanges.
This development is part of a broader initiative by the Chinese mainland. Earlier in April, a package of 10 policy measures was rolled out to boost exchanges and cooperation with the Taiwan region. Among these measures is a focus on improving infrastructure links, encouraging coastal cities in Fujian to enhance the sharing of essential supplies like water and electricity with Kinmen and Matsu, and advancing plans for sea-crossing bridges when conditions are suitable.
The move signals a continued warming trend in cross-strait tourism. It follows the resumption of travel permit applications for Fujian residents to visit Kinmen in September 2024, marking a steady, year-by-year expansion of people-to-people connections.
For Shanghai's diverse population of business professionals, cultural explorers, and families with ties across the strait, the new policy opens a convenient and symbolic gateway. It offers a tangible opportunity to experience the proximity and shared heritage of these regions, contributing to deeper mutual understanding.
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Travel to Kinmen, Matsu open to Shanghai residents starting April 29
cgtn.com
