TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Tourism Administration said in a Tuesday statement it has always welcomed Chinese tourists, after Shanghai Deputy Mayor Hua Yuan (華源) revealed his government was considering allowing more tour groups to visit Taiwan.

Hua arrived in Taipei on Monday to attend the 15th Taipei-Shanghai City Forum, CNA reported. 

The Taiwan Tourism Administration said that relevant authorities are ready to accept more Chinese travelers and will respond promptly to policies from China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The administration stressed that cross-strait tourism exchanges will continue to be promoted under the principle of reciprocity. 

Policies will be reviewed and adjusted as needed to ensure they align with public interest and the tourism industry, it added.

China ended independent travel to Taiwan on Aug. 1, 2019. In early 2020, it suspended group tours to Taiwan and other countries. 

The first group of tourists from China’s Fujian Province to Taiwan’s Matsu Islands arrived this August after Beijing allowed regional travel.