At the January 7 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: Please introduce the situation regarding cross-Strait travel and exchanges in various fields in 2025. What are the main characteristics? What plans are there for cross-Strait travel and exchanges in 2026?
In response, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that in 2025, they resolutely broke through obstruction and restrictions imposed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, continued to advance cross-Strait travel and exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and continued to improve systems and policies to help Taiwan compatriots integrate into development on the mainland. Over the past year, cross-Strait exchanges were vibrant and full of highlights, with compatriots on both sides drawing closer and strengthening their bonds. Specifically, the following features stood out:
First, the scale of cross-Strait travel continued to expand. Over the year, guided by the principles of “greater openness, maximum convenience, and greater safety,” the mainland announced the resumption of group tours to Taiwan for residents of Fujian and Shanghai, introduced measures such as waiving the document fee for “first-time applicants” for Taiwan compatriot permits, expanding the number of ports where permits can be issued on arrival from 58 to 100, issuing electronic temporary Taiwan compatriot permits to those who lose their documents, and including Taiwan compatriots in pilot programs for lanes that do not require document presentation. This series of facilitation measures has continuously generated momentum and created favorable conditions for supporting and promoting exchanges between compatriots on both sides. In 2025, cross-Strait travel exceeded 5 million trips, reaching a new high in nearly six years.
Second, cross-Strait exchange activities were rich and continuous. Over the year, regions and departments organized a wide variety of exchange activities with diverse content. Cultural and grassroots exchanges remained lively, and cooperation and exchanges were widely carried out in fields such as education, publishing, medical and health services, sports, journalism, trade unions, women’s organizations, ethnic minorities, and religious affairs. Tens of thousands of Taiwan compatriots enthusiastically participated in major events such as the 17th Straits Forum and the Second Cross-Strait Chinese Culture Summit, showcasing a new atmosphere of shared affinity between compatriots in the new era and new journey. Around the important milestone of the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration, a series of events were held, including a commemorative conference and a Taiwan Restoration Day reception, and the book Major Events of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was published, with compatriots on both sides jointly remembering history and carrying forward the spirit of resistance.
Third, cross-Strait youth exchanges were particularly vibrant. Various regions and departments either upgraded and expanded existing flagship events or created new exchange platforms, incorporating elements such as intangible cultural heritage, Chinese animation, and sports. Activities such as the 2025 Cross-Strait Youth Summit, the Fifth Cross-Strait Youth Culture Month, and the Twelfth Taiwan Youth Lingnan Tour attracted tens of thousands of Taiwanese young people to the mainland, where they made friends with mainland youth, built mutual understanding, shared aspirations, and worked together toward the future.
Fourth, practical progress in cross-Strait integrated development achieved phased results. Relevant departments and Fujian Province actively implemented the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Supporting Fujian in Exploring a New Path for Cross-Strait Integrated Development and Building a Demonstration Zone for Cross-Strait Integrated Development, strongly promoting pilot policies that benefit Taiwan compatriots and improve livelihoods, providing better conditions for Taiwanese to study, work, and live in Fujian, and pushing forward solid progress in building the demonstration zone. The system of policies for equal treatment has been further improved, and Taiwan compatriots and youth have actively participated in development on the mainland, sharing development opportunities and achieving substantial results through professional exchanges and project cooperation.
Chen said that compatriots on both sides of the Strait share common bloodlines, culture, and history, bear a shared responsibility to the nation, and hold common expectations for the future. In 2026, they will resolutely implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important statements on Taiwan-related work and the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, continue to deepen exchanges, interactions, and integration across the Strait, strive to promote greater mutual affinity between compatriots, steadily advance the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Strait relations, and unwaveringly push forward the great cause of national reunification.