Beijing travel decision a political move, MAC saysMANIPULATION: China set unreasonable restrictions on cross-strait tourism, and only now allows Shanghai residents, who are less likely to visit, the MAC saidBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterBeijing’s decision to allow Shanghai residents to travel to Kinmen and Lienchiang (Matsu) counties is nothing more than political manipulation disguised as a gesture of goodwill, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday. “Beijing first set an unreasonable restriction on cross-strait tourism and later decided to allow Shanghai residents to visit. “To visit Kinmen, they would have to travel from Shanghai to Xiamen first and then take a ferry from Xiamen to Kinmen. “Communication before resuming cross-strait tourism following the pandemic was necessary, as both sides can use the opportunity to address issues with cross-strait tourism in the past, such as low-priced shopping tours,” he said. Cross-strait tourism should not be restricted to visitors from specific provinces, either, he said.

Source: Taipei Times February 05, 2026 17:12 UTC