Taiwan calls China tourism ban a 'mistake' amid rising tension

FILE PHOTO - Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a news conference at the National Palace during her one-day visit to Haiti, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, July 13, 2019. REUTERS/Andres Martinez Casares - Copyright ANDRES MARTINEZ CASARES(Reuters)

By Reuters

Published on 01/08/2019 - 07:02•Updated 20/04/2024 - 08:13

Comments

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday called Beijing's ban on individual tourists to the island a "major strategic mistake" amid heightened tension with giant neighbour China.

China is using mainland tourists as "political tools" and the move would create antipathy in Taiwanese people, Tsai told reporters in Taipei.

China will stop issuing individual travel permits for Taiwan to Chinese citizens from Aug 1, its culture and tourism ministry said on Wednesday, citing the state of ties with the island. The move could deal a blow to Taiwan's tourism industry.

(Reporting By Yimou Lee; editing by Richard Pullin)

Comments

Taiwan calls China tourism ban a 'mistake' amid rising tension

You might also like

EU candidate Moldova takes action to prevent Russian influence in referendum

New Slovak president Peter Pellegrini yet to define political stance - analyst

Peter Pellegrini to become next Slovakian president