In its latest effort to increase pressure on Taiwan, Beijing said it will suspend a program that allowed individual tourists from 47 Chinese cities to travel to Taiwan, citing the current state of relations between the two sides.
The ban is effective from Aug. 1, according to a statement Wednesday from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and means that Chinese nationals can only travel to Taiwan as tourists if they're part of tour groups. The scheme had been in place since 2011 under the more China-friendly administration of former President Ma Ying-jeou.
The ministry's statement didn't provide any further details as to the reason for the ban. The unexpected move comes as China attempts to isolate Taiwan and Tsai Ing-wen, it's independence-leaning president. The move may also be aimed at hurting her re-election chances in January's presidential election.
Under Chinese President Xi Jinping, Beijing has increased diplomatic and military pressure on the Tsai administration in an effort to force her to accept Chinese claims to sovereignty over Taiwan.
Recent patrols by Chinese warships and warplanes around Taiwan were highlighted in a Chinese national defense white paper released last week as a "stern warning" to independence advocates, a reference to Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council condemned China's move in a statement Wednesday, saying cross-strait tourism is an important way of promoting better understanding between both sides. It called on Beijing to discuss the issue with Taipei.
"This is a shock to all of us. We are all very worried about it," Benny Wu, chairman of the Taipei Association of Travel Agents, said by phone. "This will have a huge impact on Taiwan's tourism and economy. Hotels, restaurants will all be affected."
Taiwan's Tourism Bureau said in a statement Wednesday it regretted Beijing's decision and hoped for a return to positive interaction with China.
