China Uses Twin Cities Forum to Throw ''Shanghai Tourists'' Soft Ball: How Should Lai Administration Respond？
United Daily News Commentary, December 17, 2024
Thankfully, the administration of President Lai Ching-te did not block the Twin City Forum, otherwise, Taiwan’s tourism industry might have missed this good news: Shanghai plans to actively promote group tours to Taiwan. This move by mainland China is clearly a goodwill gesture aimed at Taiwan, and how the Lai administration handles this will be a critical test of its cross-strait policy.
At the Forum event on December 17, Deputy Mayor Hua Yuan of Shanghai invited residents of Taipei and Taiwan to visit Shanghai, and expressed hope that Shanghai residents could also visit Taipei. To facilitate this, Shanghai will push for group tours for its residents to Taiwan, including routes to Taipei.
Such a policy is not within Shanghai's sole discretion and follows a pattern of mainland China offering "benefits" through exchanges with Kuomintang (KMT) figures from Taiwan. Earlier this year, after a KMT delegation visited Beijing, the mainland announced the resumption of tourist trips from Fujian to Matsu. In August, after lobbying by Kinmen representatives, the mainland also resumed tours from Fujian to Kinmen.
However, cross-strait tourism revival discussions between the Mainland Affairs Council and the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) of mainland China’s State Council have remained at a standstill. In November, TAO Spokesman Chen Binhua reiterated that if Taiwan lifted its "group ban" and removed restrictions on cross-strait exchanges, then the mainland would consider expanding tourism to Taiwan.
In response, the MAC rejected Beijing’s conditions, accusing mainland China of imposing preconditions and showing a lack of sincerity.
Despite criticism of Taiwan’s government, Chen emphasized that the mainland would actively explore the expansion of tourism to Taiwan once the "group ban" was lifted.
Mainland China's clear intention to resume cross-strait tourism is evident, as it would benefit both tourism industries and foster greater understanding between the two sides, potentially reducing hostilities.
On the same day as Hua’s remarks, the MAC issued a statement expressing its continued support for Taiwan’s tourism and readiness to respond swiftly once mainland China officially announces the reopening. While initially critical of the mainland’s changing stance, Taiwan's response seems generally positive.
While the Twin-City Forum offers hope for restarting cross-strait tourism, there is still much work to be done before mainland Chinese tourists can visit Taiwan freely and Taiwanese tour groups may travel to the mainland. Both sides must understand that if this initiative fails, the blame will fall on the side which mishandles it.