The Taiwanese government has decided to ban group tours to China starting in June. However, group tours with schedules confirmed before then will be allowed.
According to local media on the 30th, Chen Sky, spokesperson for the Taiwanese Executive Yuan (government), stated at a press conference that the ban on group tours to China will be implemented, but "group tours with confirmed schedules before the 1st of next month can continue." This is interpreted as maintaining the policy to prohibit group tour recruitment from June, but not completely closing off group tours to China.
The Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation decided in February to suspend recruitment for group tours to China for three months in response to China's opening of threatening civil aviation routes, and has prohibited group tours from June onward.
Earlier, China announced at the end of January the closure of the negotiated routes between China and Taiwan (cross-strait), the use of the M503 route adjacent to the median line of the Taiwan Strait, and the opening of the W122 and W123 routes.
Additionally, the Taiwanese government indicated that the ban on group tours could change depending on China's future actions. Spokesperson Chen said, "Both sides of the Taiwan Strait must take the first step toward resuming mutual tourism," and added, "We hope China will show corresponding goodwill and efforts to jointly contribute to cross-strait peace and exchanges."
He continued, "We will continue to gradually review the policy based on the implementation situation to ensure it benefits all people."
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