Cross-Strait Relations

Taiwanese leader William Lai made a rare reference to 'mainland China' during the Spring Festival, drawing attention from analysts. They attribute it to pressure from Washington ahead of Donald Trump's upcoming summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing, where Taiwan is expected to be a key topic.

February 15, 2026 Iniulat ng AI

According to Taiwan’s Tourism Administration, around 3.24 million Taiwanese visited mainland China in 2025, nearly 17 per cent more than in 2024, but still 20 per cent lower than in 2019. Taiwanese media attributes the slow post-pandemic recovery to cross-strait tensions and partial travel bans. Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te, who took office in 2024, has used strong rhetoric against Beijing, exacerbating the disruptions.