KMT Legislator Asks China for Kinmen Favors, Officials Criticize 'Unrealistic' Pleas

Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Chen Yu-chen attended the Straits Forum in Xiamen, China, presenting three key requests to Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chairman Wang Huning. Chen sought to open more Chinese provinces to tourism in Kinmen, establish a trial platform for agricultural and fishery product sales between Kinmen and Xiamen, and secure preferential tariff treatment for specific Kinmen products. She had previously stated that participating in the forum could be a form of "united front" work towards mainland China. However, her proposals have drawn criticism from Taiwanese officials. One official familiar with cross-strait relations described Chen's requests as "climbing a tree to catch fish," implying they are unrealistic and based on a misunderstanding of the current situation. The official pointed out that many Chinese tourists visiting Kinmen are "poor travelers" who do not spend much, and that Kinmen's economy should not be overly reliant on mainland China. The official also noted that Kinmen Kaoliang liquor faces challenges in the mainland market due to oversupply and existing import restrictions. The official suggested that Kinmen should focus on diversifying its markets and strengthening ties within Taiwan, rather than solely depending on China. Concerns were also raised that China has significantly narrowed the scope of travel for mainland residents to Kinmen and Matsu, with only residents from Shanghai and Fujian currently permitted, a reduction from pre-pandemic levels when people from 41 cities could visit freely.

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She asked Chinese official Wang Huning to open more provinces to Kinmen tourism and reduce tariffs on Kinmen sorghum liquor.