Beijing: China is planning to resume cross-strait water tourism with Taiwan for Shanghai residents visiting Kinmen and Matsu, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced Wednesday. Both Kinmen and Matsu are governed by Taiwan.

According to Anadolu Agency, the ministry stated its aim to normalize cross-Strait people-to-people exchanges and regularize interactions across various fields. This move responds to the strong expectations of Taiwan residents and the tourism industry, and aims to enhance the interests and well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait.

Currently, preparations for this process are ongoing. The ministry expressed hope that tourism sectors on both sides will strengthen communication and coordination to provide high-quality services and products for mainland residents traveling to Kinmen and Matsu.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, highlighted this as a concrete step in response to the strong desire for closer exchanges between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. He pointed out the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan favors peace, development, exchanges, and cooperation. Chen urged Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party authorities to lift restrictions on cross-Strait visits and cooperation in various fields, and to restore travel by mainland residents to Taiwan at an early date.

The decision by Beijing coincides with a visit to China by a delegation of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang for a think tank forum in Beijing with the Chinese Communist Party. During the visit, China's top political advisor Wang Huning met with the delegation, urging joint efforts to firmly grasp the destiny of the Chinese nation and to resolutely oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatism and interference by external forces.