Saturday, August 24, 2024 Matsu Islands welcome the first Fujian tourists after China lifts travel restrictions, marking a key step in renewed cross-strait tourism and cooperation. The Taiwan-held Matsu Islands welcomed their first group of tourists from China’s Fujian province on Friday, marking a significant milestone after China lifted restrictions on both group and independent travel from the region. The group, consisting of seven travel industry professionals, received approval from Chinese authorities to visit Matsu on individual travel visas, according to Liu Lien-kuan, the chief of the Fuzhou office of the Taipei-based Taiwan Strait Tourism Association.
Starting their journey in Nangan Township, the visitors will explore various in-depth travel opportunities across the islands during their five-day stay, with the goal of designing itineraries for the broader market, Liu explained. Prior to the lifting of restrictions on Fujian tourists on Thursday, tourism from China to Taiwan had been largely halted for more than three years, affecting both independent and group travel. China initially suspended independent travel to Taiwan on Aug.
1, 2019, citing strained cross-strait relations, followed by a halt on group travel to Taiwan and other countries in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Luo Wen-jia, vice chairman and secretary-general of Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), expressed the country’s welcome of China’s latest move on Friday. He also mentioned that the SEF will send staff to Matsu next month to enhance service quality and further strengthen travel exchanges with China.
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