China Announces Partial Resumption of Ties with Taiwan — AP
The People's Republic of China has officially announced the resumption of a number of previously suspended ties with Taiwan, including air links and trade relations.
This was reported by the AP.
Beijing plans to resume direct flights from mainland cities and allow the import of certain aquaculture products that had previously been banned.
The statement was released by the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Communist Party of China.
In particular, the possibility of establishing a permanent communication mechanism between the CCP and the Taiwanese opposition party Kuomintang, whose representatives recently visited the mainland, is being considered.
“This move is seen as an attempt to ease tensions in the region through economic and logistical measures. Beijing plans to resume direct flights to Taiwan from cities such as Xi’an and Urumqi, which should simplify travel across the strait,” the AP reported.
Special attention was paid to the removal of trade barriers that had been introduced in recent years.
In 2021, China blocked imports of Taiwanese pineapples and later expanded these sanctions to include grouper, squid, tuna, and a range of other seafood products.
The thaw in relations became possible following a meeting on April 10 between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kuomintang Chairperson Chen Li-wen.
Both leaders publicly called for maintaining peace in the region, though they avoided specifics regarding the resolution of political disputes.
At the same time, Beijing has returned to the idea of building a bridge to connect the mainland with the islands of Matsu and Jinmen.
These territories belong to Taiwan but are geographically located in close proximity to the coast of the PRC.
As a reminder, China has built a strategic artificial island in the South China Sea.
China has also become a key guarantor of the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran
