China on Sunday announced a package of 10 incentive measures for Taiwan, ranging from easing tourism curbs to facilitating trade in food and media content, following a visit by a senior leader of the island’s main opposition party.According to Xinhua News Agency, the measures include steps to resume cross-strait exchanges, expand market access and deepen political communication, though several remain conditional on adherence to Beijing’s position against Taiwan independence.
The announcement came after Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, met Chinese President Xi Jinping and discussed the need for peace and reconciliation.
What the 10 incentives include:Exploring a regular communication mechanism between China’s Communist Party and Taiwan’s oppositionEncouraging full resumption of direct flights across the Taiwan StraitAllowing residents from Shanghai and Fujian to travel to TaiwanEasing curbs on Chinese tourism to the islandFacilitating sales of Taiwanese food and agricultural products in ChinaStreamlining inspection standards for food and fishery productsAllowing Taiwanese TV dramas, documentaries and animation in ChinaExpanding cultural and media exchanges, subject to content conditionsPromoting economic and trade cooperation mechanismsEncouraging broader people-to-people exchanges
Xinhua said media content would be allowed if it has “correct orientation, healthy content and high production quality,” while food-related measures would hinge on a political foundation of opposing Taiwan independence.There was no immediate response from Taiwan’s government.China continues to refuse engagement with President Lai Ching-te, whom it considers a separatist, even as it seeks to rebuild ties through the opposition and revive exchanges disrupted in recent years.
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