Chinese Tourists Can Visit Kinmen and Matsu, But Not Taiwan Proper? MAC Insists on Cross-Strait Tourism Talks
Although Shanghai has allowed its residents to visit Kinmen and Matsu, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) insists on cross-strait tourism talks for Taiwan proper, citing China's military actions and its use of tourism as a political weapon. Kinmen and Matsu were opened first due to their more contained environment and smaller impact.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 19:45
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Taipei, April 30 (CNA) Although Shanghai announced yesterday that its residents can visit Kinmen and Matsu for tourism, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated that Taiwan has never restricted Chinese visitors to Kinmen and Matsu via the "mini-three links." However, given China's frequent military aircraft and vessel harassment of Taiwan and its use of tourism as a political weapon, tourism to Taiwan proper still insists on discussions through cross-strait tourism channels.
Shanghai officials announced on April 29 that Shanghai residents can now apply to visit Kinmen and Matsu. The MAC stated yesterday that the mini-three links have never restricted the identity of Chinese residents; it was the Chinese mainland that imposed its own restrictions.
Regarding the unrestricted mini-three links, but restricted tourism to Taiwan proper for Chinese visitors, the MAC previously stated that discussions through the cross-strait tourism channels (Taiwan Strait Tourism Association and Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits) are still required. Liang Wen-chieh explained at a regular press conference today that Taiwan has never set conditions for Kinmen and Matsu because their environment is relatively closed, the impact is relatively small, and uncontrollable factors are easier to manage. Therefore, Kinmen and Matsu were opened first after the pandemic.
He emphasized that Taiwan has not stated that only people from certain provinces can visit Kinmen and Matsu; it was the other side that first said Fujian would be opened, and then Shanghai. "Those are the conditions they set themselves." Regarding the opening of Kinmen and Matsu to Shanghai residents this time, "we have no special opinion."
As for Taiwan proper, which requires discussions through cross-strait tourism channels, Liang Wen-chieh pointed out that this is a result of changes in cross-strait relations in recent years. Before the pandemic, there was no military aircraft or vessel harassment of Taiwan by the other side; these situations only occurred after the pandemic. Under these circumstances, "we must consider many factors."
He stressed that the other side often uses tourism as a political weapon, employing tactics like "fattening up, then slaughtering" and cutting off ties at will. China has similar practices with Japan and South Korea, and even more so with Taiwan, such as restricting agricultural products and ECFA duty-free petrochemical products. "These repetitive behaviors are issues that we must address."
Liang Wen-chieh stated that he hopes that through the cross-strait tourism channels, discussions can be held on tourism safety, quality, stability, and fairness. He particularly emphasized "stability," stating that it cannot be opened and closed at will, causing Taiwanese travel agencies and tourism operators to over-invest and then suffer heavy losses. "Therefore, we still insist that for tourism to Taiwan proper, everyone should discuss it through the cross-strait tourism channels." (Edited by Yang Sheng-ju) 1150430
Shanghai officials announced on April 29 that Shanghai residents can now apply to visit Kinmen and Matsu. The MAC stated yesterday that the mini-three links have never restricted the identity of Chinese residents; it was the Chinese mainland that imposed its own restrictions.
Regarding the unrestricted mini-three links, but restricted tourism to Taiwan proper for Chinese visitors, the MAC previously stated that discussions through the cross-strait tourism channels (Taiwan Strait Tourism Association and Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits) are still required. Liang Wen-chieh explained at a regular press conference today that Taiwan has never set conditions for Kinmen and Matsu because their environment is relatively closed, the impact is relatively small, and uncontrollable factors are easier to manage. Therefore, Kinmen and Matsu were opened first after the pandemic.
He emphasized that Taiwan has not stated that only people from certain provinces can visit Kinmen and Matsu; it was the other side that first said Fujian would be opened, and then Shanghai. "Those are the conditions they set themselves." Regarding the opening of Kinmen and Matsu to Shanghai residents this time, "we have no special opinion."
As for Taiwan proper, which requires discussions through cross-strait tourism channels, Liang Wen-chieh pointed out that this is a result of changes in cross-strait relations in recent years. Before the pandemic, there was no military aircraft or vessel harassment of Taiwan by the other side; these situations only occurred after the pandemic. Under these circumstances, "we must consider many factors."
He stressed that the other side often uses tourism as a political weapon, employing tactics like "fattening up, then slaughtering" and cutting off ties at will. China has similar practices with Japan and South Korea, and even more so with Taiwan, such as restricting agricultural products and ECFA duty-free petrochemical products. "These repetitive behaviors are issues that we must address."
Liang Wen-chieh stated that he hopes that through the cross-strait tourism channels, discussions can be held on tourism safety, quality, stability, and fairness. He particularly emphasized "stability," stating that it cannot be opened and closed at will, causing Taiwanese travel agencies and tourism operators to over-invest and then suffer heavy losses. "Therefore, we still insist that for tourism to Taiwan proper, everyone should discuss it through the cross-strait tourism channels." (Edited by Yang Sheng-ju) 1150430