The Chinese mainland has renewed calls for Taiwan to fully restore direct air and sea travel links, emphasizing the need to boost cross-strait connections in a post-pandemic world. 🌏✈️
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, stated Sunday that direct flights between Taiwan and 30 mainland cities, along with key maritime routes like Pingtan-Taipei and Xiamen-Taichung, remain critical for economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
While some routes resumed last year after COVID-19 restrictions eased, Zhu noted current limitations 'don’t meet actual demand' for families, businesses, and travelers. Over 16 million passenger trips were recorded annually via cross-strait routes before pandemic disruptions.
🔍 Why it matters: Enhanced transport links could strengthen cultural ties and economic opportunities across the Taiwan Strait. Analysts suggest this move aligns with wider efforts to deepen integration in sectors like tourism and tech innovation.
