China, partial resumption of relations with Taiwan: doable direct flights | EUROtoday

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In the identical hours during which the eye of the worldwide neighborhood is totally on Islamabad, in Pakistan, the place the USA and Iran have tried, with out success, to seek out an settlement that might put an finish to the conflict, China has introduced the resumption of some channels of cooperation with Taiwan, together with the doable restoration of direct flights to varied cities in mainland China and the reopening of imports of Taiwanese aquaculture merchandise. The resolution comes on the finish of the go to of the Taiwanese opposition chief.

Dialogue between Beijing and the principle opposition social gathering on the island

In a press release, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese Communist Party indicated its intention to guage the creation of a steady communication mechanism with the Kuomintang (KMT), the principle opposition social gathering on the island, in addition to facilitating the entry of Taiwanese seafood merchandise, beforehand topic to restrictions, onto the Chinese market. The announcement follows the high-level assembly between KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, April 10, throughout which either side known as for peace with out offering concrete particulars.

Tense relationships

Cross-Strait relations have deteriorated since 2016, with the election in Taipei of Tsai Ing-wen, a member of the Democratic Progressive Party. Since then, Beijing has severed a lot official dialogue with the Taiwanese authorities and stepped up army stress, with frequent air and naval incursions close to the island. The measures introduced concern numerous areas suspended in recent times. Among these, the doable reactivation of direct flights from cities corresponding to Xi’an and Urumqi, though strategies and timing stay to be outlined.

On the tourism entrance, the ban imposed by Beijing in 2019 on particular person journey by Chinese residents to Taiwan stays in power. Currently, Taipei requires Chinese guests to have a sound residence visa in a 3rd nation, such because the United States or the European Union, with a view to apply for a vacationer visa.