The Chinese mainland will allow Fujian residents to resume tourist visits to Matsu islands in China's Taiwan region and group trips for Fujian residents to Taiwan once the direct sea route linking Pingtan Island, off the east coast of Fujian Province, and the Taiwan region reopens, Rao Quan, vice minister of culture and tourism, said on Sunday.

Rao made the remarks during his meeting with a visiting Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party delegation led by Fu Kun-chi in Beijing.

The mainland suspended issuing individual travel permits for the Taiwan region to people in 47 cities in August 2019.