Trips from mainland to Taiwan drop for first time in eight years

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Trips made by Chinese mainland residents to Taiwan dropped in 2016 for the first time in eight years, plunging to 3.6 million, representing a 14.4 percent year-on-year drop, a mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.

But trips made by Taiwan residents to the mainland increased slightly to 5.73 million last year, an annual increase of 4.2 percent, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at its first press conference of 2017.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office. /CGTN Photo‍

"The Chinese mainland has committed to honoring its policy on Taiwan, and has seen an increase in its appeal as a destination for Taiwan residents. However, Taiwan's shift in policy towards the mainland has worsened cross-Strait exchanges, and has negatively affected the desire of mainland residents to travel to Taiwan," the spokesperson said.

Ma also criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party administration for its refusal to recognize the 1992 Consensus, which reflects the one-China principle. He said that the tourism figures for last year showed that adhering to the 1992 Consensus was the only way for cross-Strait relations to develop and improve.

Nightview of Taipei Financial Center (Taipei 101) seen from Xiangshan (elephant mountain) in Taipei, Taiwan of China, June 10, 2016. /CFP Photo

The spokesperson added the mainland would continue to support cross-Strait communication in the New Year, creating more chances for cross-Strait exchanges and making efforts to tackle practical difficulties for Taiwan residents studying, working or living on the mainland.

He also denied claims of mainland interference in the exchange of people working in the entertainment industry.

(With inputs from Xinhua News Agency)

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