Chinese mainland to resume group tours for Fujian, Shanghai residents to Taiwan

The Chinese mainland will soon resume group tour services for residents of Fujian and Shanghai to Taiwan, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on Friday.

In response to a media inquiry, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, expressed support for the move.

It is a practical measure to respond to the enthusiastic anticipation of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits for enhanced exchanges and aligns with Taiwan compatriots' collective aspirations for peace, development, exchanges and cooperation, Chen said.

"We actively support this and will be happy to see it come to fruition," he added.

Chen expressed hope that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities would recognize the mainstream public opinion and listen to industry voices on the island. He urged them to lift the "ban on group tours" as soon as possible, cancel the travel warnings for Taiwan residents traveling to the mainland, and fully restore direct cross-Straits passenger flights.

This, he said, would create favorable conditions for cross-Straits exchanges and interactions in various fields.