Possible Signs of Thaw in Taiwan-China Tourism Tussle

Though officials in both Taiwan and China have made comments about restoring tourism links, both sides say the other needs to make the first move.

Transcript

00:00There are signs of a thaw in the years-long tussle between China and Taiwan over tourism.

00:05China banned its citizens from leisure travel to Taiwan in two stages from 2019 to 2020,

00:11and that ban still stands.

00:13Taiwan hit back this year, banning its citizens from group tourism to China.

00:18But both sides show signs of wanting to break the ice.

00:21In late September, China announced a limited first step, letting residents of its coastal

00:25Fujian province visit a handful of nearby Taiwan-governed islands, Mazu and Jinmen.

00:31But there's still deadlock over the next step, and who should be the one to make it.

00:36China says it's up to Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP.

00:55But officials in Taiwan say the overall balance of tourism is still in China's favor, and

01:06say it's up to China to end the impasse.

01:29It's difficult to say whether this is a false start, or a genuine sign of a breakthrough

01:33in the works.

01:34Hank Hsu and John Van Triest for Taiwan Plus.