China says it will resume group tours for Taiwan residents to mainland

FILE PHOTO: People look across the strait from a lighthouse at the 68-nautical-mile scenic spot, one of mainland China's closest points to the island of Taiwan, on Pingtan Island, Fujian province, China, April 9, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

China will allow travel agencies to resume organising group tours for Taiwan residents to visit the mainland from Friday, said Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson at China's Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

In a statement, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said it welcomed the decision and that the two sides must communicate and make arrangements to ensure tourism quality.