China bans individual Taiwan visits

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - China on Wednesday banned its citizens in 47 main cities from taking individual visits to Taiwan, media reports said.

“Starting from August 1, 2019, citizens from 47 cities in Chinese mainland will not be allowed to travel to Taiwan with individual tourist travel visas,” the state-owned CNS news agency quoted a statement from the country's tourism ministry.

Beijing had allowed such trips in June 2011 and it has been the first time in last 8 years that such a decision has been taken.

“The decision was made on the basis of current cross-Strait relations,” it added.

The move came amid strained relations between Beijing and Taipei, which China calls a “breakaway province”.

Earlier this month the U.S. also approved a deal to sell arms worth $2.22 billion to Taiwan.

China early this week launched military exercises in the disputed South China Sea near the Taiwan Strait. Two heavy drills were started Sunday evening and Monday morning that will run through Friday.

Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau said that a total of 1.67 million Chinese nationals visited Taiwan in first half of 2019 -- a 30% increase compared with the same period last year.

Taiwan will go for presidential polls early next year.