China claims democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory despite the strong objections of the government in Taipei.

Taiwan had planned to resume group tours for Taiwanese to China from March 1 after they were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the tourism authority said those already organised from that date to May 31 could go ahead.

But “considering the change in the situation”, including China not allowing Chinese to visit Taiwan and China’s altering of a flight route through the Taiwan Strait last week, Taiwanese travel agencies cannot arrange any more tours, the Tourism Administration said in a statement.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, responding to the tour move, said Taiwan was “blowing hot and cold” in having previously said it wanted such tours to resume, and then stopping them.

“This will only make the Taiwanese people and the tourism industry once again be dissatisfied with the political manipulation of tourism by the Democratic Progressive Party authorities,” it said, referring to the ruling party.

Taiwan’s government expressed anger after China “unilaterally” changed the flight path close to the strait’s median line, saying it appeared to be a deliberate attempt to change the status quo for possible military means.

China has downplayed the furore, saying it is a routine measure to alleviate air space pressure.

Taiwanese are still able to visit China on individual trips, while Chinese who live in third countries have since last September been allowed to come to Taiwan again as tourists.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Ryan Woo in Beijing; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Philippa Fletcher)

Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content.

Show Full Article