China, partial resumption of relations with Taiwan: direct flights possible

At the same time that the international community's attention is focused on Islamabad, Pakistan, where the US and Iran have been trying, unsuccessfully, to find an agreement that could put an end to the war, China has announced the resumption of some channels of cooperation with Taiwan, including the possible restoration of direct flights to several cities in mainland China and the reopening of imports of Taiwanese aquaculture products. The decision comes at the end of a visit by Taiwan's opposition leader.

In a note, the Chinese Communist Party's Taiwan Affairs Office indicated its intention to consider establishing a stable communication mechanism with the Kuomintang (Kmt), the island's main opposition party, as well as facilitating the entry of previously restricted Taiwanese fish products into the Chinese market. The announcement follows the high-level meeting between Kmt Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday 10 April, during which both sides called for peace without providing concrete details.

Cross-strait relations have deteriorated since 2016, with the election of Democratic Progressive Party member Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei. Since then, Beijing has broken off much of the official dialogue with the Taiwanese government and intensified military pressure, with frequent air and naval incursions near the island. The measures announced concern several areas that have been suspended in recent years. These include the possible reactivation of direct flights from cities such as Xi'an and Urumqi, although the modalities and timing remain to be defined.

On the tourism front, Beijing's 2019 ban on individual travel by Chinese citizens to Taiwan remains in place. Currently, Taipei requires Chinese visitors to have a valid residence visa in a third country, such as the United States or the European Union, in order to apply for a tourist visa.