TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Kuomintang (KMT) caucus convener Fu Kun-chi (傅崐萁) and 16 other KMT lawmakers returned from a three-day visit to China on Sunday evening (April 28), announcing a trade deal on agricultural and fishery products, as well as relaxed travel restrictions allowing Fujian Province residents to visit Matsu Islands.
After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport, Fu and KMT lawmakers spoke with the media. Fu said talks with Chinese authorities led to a breakthrough in trade and tourism.
Fu categorized the past eight years as a stalemate in trade negotiations, per CNA. Fu claimed negotiations were carried out in good faith, and would restart cross-strait trade and tourism as soon as possible.
"Of course, this is just the beginning, and we will continue to work hard," said Fu. He described the trip as an ice-breaker, giving the KMT more confidence and willingness to engage in future negotiations.
Chinese counterparts also said a trade deal was made on agricultural products on Sunday. Zhao Zenglian (趙增連), vice minister of China's General Administration of Customs, said it would open agricultural imports of pomelos and two types of fishery products from Taiwan.
Zhao did not give any timeframe for lifting the ban on these items, per CNA. The Chinese government banned Taiwanese pomelos due to pest and pesticide residue claims, and horse mackerel and largehead hairtail imports after claiming COVID-19 was found on the packaging.
The import bans also coincided with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei in August 2022.
Also on Sunday, China's Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Rao Quan (饒權) said an easing of travel restrictions would allow residents of Fujian Province to travel to the Matsu Islands. Rao also took the opportunity to welcome Taiwanese to visit China, per CNA.
Fu was also asked by reporters about Taiwanese businessmen in China who hoped for amendments to the Anti-Infiltration Act enacted to prevent espionage. Fu said he would conduct a full briefing on his China trip at the legislature on Monday (April 29).
