Mainland authorities on Sunday unveiled a series of measures to boost exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait as the chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, Cheng Li-wun, wrapped up her six-day visit.

The Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee unveiled a package of 10 policies and measures.

On transport, the mainland will fast-track the full resumption of regular direct flights across the Taiwan Strait, including flights to and from mainland cities of Urumqi, Xi'an, Harbin, Kunming and Lanzhou.

Support will be given to Kinmen in using the new airport built in its adjacent city of Xiamen, Fujian province.

The mainland will also promote the resumption of individual tours for Shanghai and Fujian residents to Taiwan.

The office also said efforts will be made to explore the establishment of a regular communication mechanism between the CPC and the KMT, and an institutionalised platform will be set up to promote two-way exchanges between young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

A communication mechanism will be set up on the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence" to facilitate the entry of Taiwan's agricultural and fishery products that meet the quarantine standards into the mainland.

In addition, efforts will be made to push the coastal areas of Fujian to share water, electricity and gas supplies with Kinmen and Matsu, and promote the construction of sea-crossing bridges linking the two areas, when conditions permit.

The mainland will explore building wharves and berths in regions where conditions permit for distant-water fishing vessels from the Taiwan region, and mull providing convenience for the sale of their fish catch on the mainland.

It will also facilitate registration procedures for qualified Taiwan food manufacturers and the entry of their food products into the mainland market.

Mainland authorities will also explore the establishment of more trading markets for small-ticket items with Taiwan and support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from Taiwan to expand business on the mainland.

The statement noted that qualified TV shows, documentaries and animations from Taiwan can be aired on the mainland, adding that people from Taiwan can participate in micro drama production on the mainland in various forms.

The Taiwan Work Office said the package aims to advance the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and enhance the kinship and well-being of compatriots across the Taiwan Strait.

The KMT welcomed the announcement, calling it a "gift" to the people of Taiwan.

Cheng left Beijing for Taiwan on Sunday afternoon, ending a visit during which she met with Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and toured Beijing, Shanghai and Jiangsu province.

It was the first visit by a KMT chief to the mainland in a decade. (Xinhua & agencies)


Edited by Edmond Fong