In a significant development, China announced on Sunday its decision to reinstate certain connections with Taiwan, including the resumption of direct flights and the import of Taiwanese aquaculture products. This move follows the visit of a Beijing-friendly opposition leader from the self-governing island.
The Taiwan Work Office, operating under the aegis of China’s Communist Party, released a statement outlining plans to establish a sustained communication channel with Taiwan’s Kuomingtang Party. Additionally, it committed to facilitating the import of aquaculture products from Taiwan, which had previously been banned.
On Friday, Cheng Li-wun, the leader of the Kuomingtang, engaged in a significant meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping. The discussions emphasized the importance of peace, although no specific details were provided. China continues to assert its claim over Taiwan, viewing it as part of its territory and not discounting the possibility of using force to annex it.
The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan, which handles cross-strait relations with China, criticized the announced measures, describing them as “political transactions” orchestrated between the two political parties, thereby sidestepping Taiwan’s government.
The meeting between Xi Jinping and Cheng Li-wun, held in Beijing on April 10, 2026, was highlighted by China’s promise to restore some of the previously suspended ties with Taiwan. This development underscores the delicate relationship dynamics between the two sides.
In response to China’s announcement, the Mainland Affairs Council asserted, “The government’s position is clear: to ensure the interests of the nation and its people, all cross-strait affairs involving public power must be negotiated by both governments on an equal and dignified basis to be effective and truly protect the rights and well-being of the people.”
Relations between China and Taiwan, which remain split since 1949, have been tense since the election of pro-independence President Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party in 2016. Beijing cut off most of its official dialogue with Taiwan’s government, and has started sending warships and fighter jets closer toward the island on a daily basis.
XI Jinping meets with a delegation of the Kuomintang in Beijing, China, on April 10, 2026. Taiwan pushed back after China announced new cross-strait measures following Xi Jinping’s meeting with the Beijing-friendly opposition leader. (Li Xiang/Xinhua via Getty Images)
In the statement, China said it plans to resume direct flights between Taiwan and mainland cities like Xi’an or Urumqi, although it remained unclear how the measures will be implemented without the approval of the Taiwanese government.
China banned its citizens from individual trips to Taiwan in 2019. Taiwan’s rules now require Chinese visitors to hold a valid resident visa from another country, like the U.S. or the European Union, to apply for a visitor visa.
Xi Jinping speaks during a meeting with Taiwan’s opposition leader Cheng Li-wun at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday, April 10, 2026. China is offering limited trade and travel openings to Taiwan while continuing to press its territorial claim over the self-ruled island. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)
China also said it would work toward construction of a bridge that would connect the mainland to Matsu and Kinmen, Taiwanese islands that are closer geographically to China. The project is a longstanding proposal that Beijing has previously announced.
China banned the import of Taiwanese pineapples in 2021, and since then has extended it to other fruits and products including the grouper fish, squid and tuna.
After the initial ban on grouper, Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture said it approached China about making adjustments to ensure it met import requirements. China replied with a limited list of individual companies that were allowed to sell to China, but without explanation.
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