Commentary: Resumption of cross-strait tourism The DPP authorities need to respond to the demands of the people

Beijing, 6 Jun (ZXS) -- The DPP authorities need to respond to the people's demands for resuming cross-strait tourism

China News Agency reporter Rong Haisheng

In response to the mainland's resumption of group travel by Taiwan residents to the mainland, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council claimed that the ban could only be lifted after consultation between the tourism "small two associations" (referring to the cross-strait tourism exchange association and the Taiwan Cross-Strait Tourism Association).

After the optimization and adjustment of the new crown epidemic prevention and control measures, cross-strait tourism has not resumed with it, and Taiwan's tourism industry is facing development difficulties. The DPP authorities should take practical measures to respond to people's demands and solve people's livelihood problems.

The two sides of the strait share the same language, language, and geographical proximity, coupled with the vast territory and rich tourism resources of the mainland, making it the first choice for many Taiwanese people to travel abroad. The mainland announced the resumption of travel agencies operating group travel business for Taiwan residents to the mainland, which has been welcomed by many people and tourism operators on the island. At the 2023 Taipei Tourism Expo held recently, many Taiwanese people asked the Association for information and related information on travel to the mainland.

A number of recent polls in Taiwan have shown that the expectation of increasing cross-strait exchanges is the mainstream public opinion, and most people expect cross-strait exchanges to resume normal exchanges to reduce tensions, and tourism is one of the most important ways of communication.

At the same time, the mainland's move not only meets the travel demands of Taiwanese people, but also stimulates the development of tourism on the island and brings benefits to relevant operators. Before the DPP returned to power in 2016, cross-strait personnel exchanges were warm, and Taiwan's tourism industry became a direct beneficiary of the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.

In the past three years, many Taiwanese companies that travel to the mainland have dismal business or even closed down. In addition to the causes of the epidemic, the root cause lies in the ideological work of the DPP authorities, using "epidemic prevention" as an excuse to prohibit mainland residents from going to Taiwan, unilaterally closing the "mini three links", canceling direct cross-strait shipping destinations on a large scale, and prohibiting Taiwan travel agencies from carrying out tourism business to the mainland.

Many industry operators expressed the hope that the relevant departments in Taiwan will lift the restrictions on group travel to the mainland as soon as possible, so that Taiwan's travel agencies and airlines can do more business.

In fact, the DPP authorities' response that the ban was lifted through consultation was nothing more than their usual ploy. Previously, policies such as the sausage-cutting resumption of the "mini three links" and the resumption of cross-strait waypoints were only willing to do "half a set" all vividly embodied political manipulation.

Song Tao, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said when meeting with a delegation from the Taiwan Travel Business Association General Association who came to the mainland for visits and exchanges: By adhering to the "consensus of '92" and opposing "Taiwan independence," cross-strait relations can develop peacefully, the Taiwan Strait will be peaceful and stable, and cross-strait tourism will be able to return to normal.

Obviously, the DPP authorities refuse to accept the "consensus of '92," and the so-called "consultations" are now just an excuse to shirk responsibility. At present, the prospects for the development of Taiwan's tourism industry are not optimistic, and the well-being of a large number of operators cannot be guaranteed. As far as the DPP authorities are concerned, returning to the correct track of peaceful development of cross-strait relations at an early date and stopping empty slogans and political manipulation is a move to conform to the demands of the Taiwan people. (End)