TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Premier Chen Chien-jen said on Tuesday (Feb. 20) that travel to mainland China is possible for already-formed tour groups before May 31. The full lifting of the ban depends on China's attitude.
Chen made the statement at the Legislative Yuan, responding to Kuomintang caucus whip Fu Kun-chi, who questioned the ban on travel tour groups to China.
Fu noted that after Chen took over as Premier last year, Chen announced that travel to China would start from March 1, 2024. Fu argued this policy could have benefited the tourism industry and various sectors, and questioned the sudden halt in February.
Chen responded that the decision to temporarily suspend travel to China was the result of discussions by the entire administrative team. After the pandemic restrictions were lifted, there were hopes for mutual group tourism. However, the failure of China to open group tourism to Taiwan, coupled with changes in the M503 flight route, led to the ban.
In response to Fu's question on whether the state should compensate for tourism losses due to the ban and whether the Executive Yuan should be responsible, Chen said that once already-permitted groups depart from March 1 and receive a favorable response from China, an early lifting of the ban could take place.
Chen emphasized that groups already formed can still travel before May 31, but further easing of restrictions depends on China's goodwill.