Good news for travelers! 🎉 Shanghai residents will soon be able to visit Taiwan’s Kinmen and Matsu islands again, as cross-strait travel resumes after years of restrictions. The Chinese mainland’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced the move on Wednesday, calling it a step toward ‘normalizing people-to-people exchanges’ across the Taiwan Strait.
🔍 Why it matters: Kinmen and Matsu, located just off the mainland’s Fujian coast, are historic cultural hubs. The reopening aims to strengthen economic and cultural bonds while addressing Taiwan region residents’ desire for closer ties. High-five to cultural exchange! 🙌
🛠️ What’s next? Preparations are ‘in full swing’, with both sides urged to collaborate on tourism services. Chen Binhua of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office emphasized this aligns with ‘mainstream public opinion in the Taiwan region’ favoring peace and cooperation. He also called on Taiwan authorities to lift remaining travel bans for mainland visitors.
✈️ Travel buffs, keep those passports ready – this could be your chance to explore Kinmen’s wartime tunnels or Matsu’s stunning blue tears bioluminescence! 🌌
