Experts: Mainland's 10 measures to bring tangible benefits for Taiwan region

The Chinese mainland on Sunday unveiled a package of 10 policies and measures to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, a move experts say will bring tangible benefits to people in the Taiwan region and inject fresh momentum into the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

The measures were released by the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee ahead of the departure of a Kuomintang (KMT) delegation led by Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, and are seen as a key outcome of pragmatic dialogue between the two sides under the shared political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence."

The policy package spans multiple areas, including institutionalizing communication mechanisms between the CPC and the KMT, expanding youth exchanges, and removing barriers to people-to-people interaction. It also includes steps to restore direct passenger flights, resume pilot programs for individual travel to Taiwan, and facilitate the introduction of Taiwan film and television works to the mainland market.

Economic measures feature prominently, including facilitating the entry of Taiwan agricultural and fishery products into the mainland market, exploring the construction of wharves and berths in suitable regions for distant-water fishing vessels from the Taiwan region, and supporting small Taiwan enterprises in directly marketing specialty products to mainland buyers.

KMT Vice Chairman Chang Jung-kung welcomed the measures, saying they focus on improving livelihoods and boosting exchanges. He expressed hope that relevant parties in Taiwan would support their implementation. He noted Taiwan public's strong anticipation for increased direct flight routes and the growing number of mainland tourists visiting Taiwan, which he said would benefit the tourism sector.

Experts said the measures directly address longstanding obstacles to cross-Strait exchanges and reflect mainstream public opinion in Taiwan that favors peace, development and cooperation. They also underscored the mainland's commitment to advancing integration and maintaining the initiative in shaping cross-Strait relations.

Tang Hua, a scholar at Xiamen University, said the renewed high-level dialogue between the CPC and KMT, held for the first time in a decade, sent a clear strategic signal that both sides remain committed to deepening exchanges and pursuing national rejuvenation.

"The dialogue is not only a political statement but also a strategic signal. It sends a clear message to the Taiwan region and the international community: the historical trend is irreversible, and the momentum for closer ties between compatriots on both sides will continue," Tang said.

Yu Tzu-Hsiang, a faculty member of Taiwan's Shih Hsin University, said tensions have made the Taiwan Strait increasingly insecure and constrained development opportunities on the island, emphasizing that the choice between confrontation and cooperation is "clear."

"There are many mutually beneficial opportunities across the Strait. One path leads to conflict, the other to peace; one leads to endless internal friction and confrontation, the other to dialogue. The choice is very clear," he said.

Zhu Weidong of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) said the visit has helped present a more objective picture of the mainland to Taiwan society, breaking information barriers and enabling better-informed decisions about future development.

Another CASS researcher, Xu Xiaoquan, said the 10 measures and policies represent concrete steps to expand equal treatment for Taiwan compatriots and share development opportunities, while also helping to curb separatist tendencies and promote long-term stability.

"The Democratic Progressive Party's obstruction of cross-Strait exchanges and its undermining of peaceful development lack public support," Xu said, adding, "Chinese on both sides of the Strait have the wisdom and capability to create a new phase of peaceful cross-Strait development and jointly realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."