The Chinese mainland has criticized Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for obstructing tourism and exchanges across the Taiwan Strait. On Friday, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, condemned the DPP for using weak excuses to hinder cross-Strait tourism, disregarding public opinion and the interests of the island’s residents.
Zhu’s remarks came after tourism operators from Fujian Province and Shanghai Municipality submitted applications to inspect Taiwan’s tourism sector. These applications followed the mainland’s announcement in January to resume group tour services to Taiwan for residents of Fujian and Shanghai.
However, the Taiwan authorities claimed that matters related to mainland tourism, including these inspection tours, should first be discussed by the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association and the mainland-based Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits. Zhu dismissed these claims as mere excuses to prevent mainland tourists from visiting the island.
She emphasized that the applications from mainland tourism operators demonstrate proactive efforts to restore cross-Strait tourism—efforts that have been welcomed by Taiwan’s tourism industry and the general public. Zhu noted that the DPP’s negative stance has dampened industry expectations and urged the authorities to consider the well-being of the people.
Zhu warned that if the DPP authorities continue to obstruct cross-Strait exchanges, they will lose more public support and face the consequences of their actions.
