China has introduced new policies to boost exchanges with Taiwan following a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) chairwoman Cheng Li-wun.
The visit marked the first engagement involving a Taiwan political party and the mainland in a decade.
However, the trip has drawn criticism in Taiwan, as the KMT is known for supporting closer ties with mainland China, while Cheng faces accusations of being too “pro-Beijing”.
Following the six-day visit, during which Xi reiterated opposition to “Taiwan independence”, Beijing released additional measures to promote cross-strait exchanges.
10-point package to boost cross-strait exchanges
On Sunday, Beijing released a package of 10 policies and measures to deepen cross-strait ties, spanning travel, trade, infrastructure and cultural exchanges.
These measures, which were approved by the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), include resuming the pilot program for individual travel to Taiwan for residents of Shanghai and Fujian, according to Xinhua state news agency.
The package also pushes for a full resumption of direct flights between Taiwan and multiple cities, including Urumqi, Xi’an, Harbin, Kunming and Lanzhou.
Furthermore, the mainland will be allowing imports of Taiwanese dramas, documentaries, and animations, though they should be “correctly oriented, wholesome and high-quality”.
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CPC, KMT reaffirm 1992 Consensus
But mainly, the initiative calls for regular communication between the mainland’s Communist Party of China (CPC) and the KMT.
Both sides reaffirmed adherence to the 1992 Consensus, a disputed political understanding between the CPC and KMT, which Beijing describes as reflecting the “One China Principle”, under which Taiwan is considered part of China.
The mainland has not ruled out the use of force over the island.
During Xi and Cheng’s meeting on Friday, the Chinese president described the cross-strait ties as an “inevitable trend” toward reunification.
“The general trend of compatriots on both sides of the Strait getting closer, edging nearer and becoming united will not change,” Xi said.
“This is an inevitable part of history. We have full confidence in this.”
Cheng urges dialogue, DPP raises concerns
Meanwhile, Cheng called for avoiding war by opposing Taiwan independence.
She told Xi that the Taiwan Strait should no longer be seen as a “focal point of potential conflict” and urged both sides to move beyond political confrontation.
Cheng also said Xi responded positively to her proposal for Taiwan to take part in international organisations, including Interpol and regional trade agreements.
Separately, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said Beijing should respect Taiwan’s “commitment to freedom and democracy”, accusing China of interfering in the island’s political choices through “division and inducement”.
“Differences between the two sides must be handled through peaceful and equal means, rather than by using suppression and intimidation,” DPP spokesman Lee Kuen-cheng said, according to a report by AFP.
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Shameeka Voyiya 
Carmela Calling