China to halt individual tourism permits for Taiwan as cross-strait tensions escalate
Record ID:
1425416
China to halt individual tourism permits for Taiwan as cross-strait tensions escalate
- Title: China to halt individual tourism permits for Taiwan as cross-strait tensions escalate
- Date: 31st July 2019
- Summary: TAIPEI, TAIWAN (JULY 31, 2019) (REUTERS) XINYI SHOPPING DISTRICT PEOPLE WALKING IN THE SHOPPING DISTRICT (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 19-YEAR-OLD STUDENT, CHAN, SAYING: "Taiwan will make less money from tourism after this. It's also one of their ways of suppressing Taiwan because you can't do anything if you don't have money." TOURISTS SITTING ON BENCH (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 64-YEAR-OLD RETIREE, CHEN, SAYING: "I think it doesn't matter to our people in Taiwan. It's just how will the Chinese government account to their own people? The general public does not depend on Chinese tourists to make a living, except for only a few specific industries which have been benefited from them. But ordinary people in Taiwan do not really care if Chinese government stops the relationship." PEOPLE WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 40-YEAR-OLD HOUSEWIFE, YA-CHU CHUNG, SAYING: "I am quite shocked to hear this news because I think this is a type of economic sanctions to influence Taiwan's economy. We already have fewer Chinese tourists now, which has taken a toll on Taiwan's tourism industry." CHILD BIKING IN THE DISTRICT VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WALKING XINYI SHOPPING DISTRICT BEIJING, CHINA (JULY 31, 2019) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN HUA CHUNYING ARRIVING FOR REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN HUA CHUNYING, SAYING: "As you know, Taiwan is part of China. Regarding cross-strait matters, these are not considered issues for the foreign ministry. So I suggest you ask our Taiwan Affairs Office." JOURNALISTS SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESWOMAN HUA CHUNYING, SAYING: "I think that if certain people in Taiwan were a bit less nervy, or scared they would be able to face up to this issue (of the travel restrictions) with more optimism and calm. But as to the actual situation, I would still recommend you ask the Taiwan Affairs Office." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR OF CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING CHINESE NATIONAL FLAG FLYING
- Embargoed: 14th August 2019 12:14
- Keywords: Taiwan trade war taiwanese cross strait relations China-Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen Chinese foreign ministry
- Location: BEIJING, CHINA / TAIPEI, TAIWAN
- City: BEIJING, CHINA / TAIPEI, TAIWAN
- Country: Various
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001AQ3XWZR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: China will stop issuing individual travel permits for Taiwan to people in 47 mainland cities from August 1, its culture and tourism ministry said on Wednesday (July 31), citing the state of ties with the self-ruled island, but gave no details.
People from the mainland need permission to travel to what Beijing regards as a renegade province. Only travelers from 47 cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen, were allowed to visit Taiwan independently.
Taipei residents said they "shocked" by this turn of events and worried that the move will affect business.
Mainland travelers with permits issued before Thursday (August 1) can follow the original itinerary, but after that date tourists can only go in groups, said China International Travel Service (CITS), a major mainland tour operator.
(Production: Martin Pollard) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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