Shanghai Opens Kinmen and Matsu for Residents' Travel; MAC: Mini Three Links Never Had Restrictions
The Shanghai government announced the lifting of travel restrictions for its residents to Kinmen and Matsu, but Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) clarified that Taiwan had never restricted such travel, and the past restrictions were imposed by China. A full resumption of cross-strait tourism has not yet been achieved.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 20:51
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 21:01 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 02:24 (5h 22m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chang Shu-ling, Taipei, 29th) The Shanghai government today announced that Shanghai residents can now apply for travel to Kinmen and Matsu. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated that the "Mini Three Links" never had restrictions on the identity of Chinese residents, and the restrictions were imposed by mainland China itself.
The MAC stated today that it has noted the relevant announcement from mainland China. Taiwan has never restricted the identity of Chinese residents for the Mini Three Links; the restrictions were from the other side. Therefore, after the official opening by the other side, Taiwan will accept applications in accordance with relevant regulations.
The Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism today announced that, effective immediately, Shanghai residents can register for group tours and individual travel to Kinmen and Matsu through travel agencies in Shanghai and Fujian Province that possess the relevant qualifications (referring to certifications, licenses). They can then apply for travel permits to Kinmen and Matsu from the public security bureaus' exit and entry administration agencies in both places according to regulations.
China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism previously announced on February 4 that it would soon resume travel for Shanghai residents to Kinmen and Matsu. The announcement came shortly after the conclusion of a KMT-CCP think tank forum.
Cross-strait tourism has not yet been fully opened. Currently, only third-country Chinese tourists are allowed to visit Taiwan, and Fujian and Shanghai residents are permitted to travel to Kinmen and Matsu.
Due to cross-strait relations, the Chinese government suspended applications for and issuance of individual travel permits for mainland residents to Taiwan starting August 1, 2019. In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, and on January 25 of the same year, Taiwan imposed relevant restrictions on mainland Chinese visitors. As the pandemic became endemic, from September 1, 2023, applications for Chinese nationals residing or studying in third countries to visit Taiwan were resumed.
Regarding Taiwanese travel to mainland China, the Taiwanese government has not restricted individual travel for Taiwanese citizens to the mainland, but the "ban on group tours" has not yet been lifted.
Concerning cross-strait tourism exchanges, the Taiwanese government has repeatedly stated that the two cross-strait tourism associations (Taiwan Strait Tourism Association in Taiwan and Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association in China) should first communicate and negotiate on matters such as tourism safety, quality, stability, and fairness before cross-strait tourism can restart. (Edited by Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150429
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(Central News Agency reporter Chang Shu-ling, Taipei, 29th) The Shanghai government today announced that Shanghai residents can now apply for travel to Kinmen and Matsu. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated that the "Mini Three Links" never had restrictions on the identity of Chinese residents, and the restrictions were imposed by mainland China itself.
The MAC stated today that it has noted the relevant announcement from mainland China. Taiwan has never restricted the identity of Chinese residents for the Mini Three Links; the restrictions were from the other side. Therefore, after the official opening by the other side, Taiwan will accept applications in accordance with relevant regulations.
The Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism today announced that, effective immediately, Shanghai residents can register for group tours and individual travel to Kinmen and Matsu through travel agencies in Shanghai and Fujian Province that possess the relevant qualifications (referring to certifications, licenses). They can then apply for travel permits to Kinmen and Matsu from the public security bureaus' exit and entry administration agencies in both places according to regulations.
China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism previously announced on February 4 that it would soon resume travel for Shanghai residents to Kinmen and Matsu. The announcement came shortly after the conclusion of a KMT-CCP think tank forum.
Cross-strait tourism has not yet been fully opened. Currently, only third-country Chinese tourists are allowed to visit Taiwan, and Fujian and Shanghai residents are permitted to travel to Kinmen and Matsu.
Due to cross-strait relations, the Chinese government suspended applications for and issuance of individual travel permits for mainland residents to Taiwan starting August 1, 2019. In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, and on January 25 of the same year, Taiwan imposed relevant restrictions on mainland Chinese visitors. As the pandemic became endemic, from September 1, 2023, applications for Chinese nationals residing or studying in third countries to visit Taiwan were resumed.
Regarding Taiwanese travel to mainland China, the Taiwanese government has not restricted individual travel for Taiwanese citizens to the mainland, but the "ban on group tours" has not yet been lifted.
Concerning cross-strait tourism exchanges, the Taiwanese government has repeatedly stated that the two cross-strait tourism associations (Taiwan Strait Tourism Association in Taiwan and Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association in China) should first communicate and negotiate on matters such as tourism safety, quality, stability, and fairness before cross-strait tourism can restart. (Edited by Chiu Kuo-chiang) 1150429
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force for safeguarding press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast publicly, or transmitted and utilized without authorization.