The Chinese mainland announced a set of 10 new policy measures on Sunday aimed at promoting peaceful development and enhancing cooperation across the Taiwan Strait. The announcement coincided with the conclusion of a six-day visit by Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT) party from Taiwan, who led a delegation to several mainland cities including Nanjing, Shanghai, and Beijing.

The package, released by the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, addresses multiple areas such as party-to-party dialogue, youth exchanges, trade facilitation, infrastructure connectivity, cross-Strait transportation, cultural cooperation, and economic collaboration. These measures follow a meeting on Friday between Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and Cheng—marking the first top-level party meeting across the Strait in a decade.

Xi emphasized that the overall goal is to improve the livelihoods of people on both sides and expressed willingness to share opportunities generated under the mainland’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) with Taiwan compatriots. He invited Taiwan’s agricultural and fishery products, along with other high-quality goods, to enter mainland markets and proposed exploring a regular mechanism for communication between the CPC and the KMT, based on adherence to the 1992 Consensus and opposition to “Taiwan independence.”

The 1992 Consensus, a diplomatic understanding affirming a “one-China” principle, was reached in 1992 between mainland and Taiwan authorities and remains a core framework for Beijing’s approach to cross-Strait relations.

Among the measures are plans to strengthen youth exchanges through institutionalized programs, facilitate annual Taiwan delegations’ visits to the mainland, and promote infrastructure projects, including utility links and bridges connecting Fujian province with the islands of Kinmen and Matsu. Efforts will also focus on normalizing direct cross-Strait passenger flights and resuming select air routes to encourage personnel exchanges.

Additionally, the measures aim to support Taiwan businesses’ access to mainland markets, facilitate the purchase of Taiwan agricultural products meeting mainland standards, improve conditions for Taiwanese fishing vessels, and expand media cooperation to promote joint cultural production and broadcasting.

During her visit, Cheng highlighted mainland technological advancements in sectors such as electric vehicles and artificial intelligence, viewing these developments as opportunities for Taiwan’s future growth. The delegation’s itinerary included visits to innovation centers and factories in Beijing and Shanghai, emphasizing the mainland’s expanding industrial and innovation ecosystems.

Supporters of the package, including KMT officials, described the measures as a goodwill gesture from the mainland intended to benefit people in Taiwan and encourage cooperation based on shared cultural and economic interests. Li Peng, dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, said the visit reaffirmed the importance of peaceful development and mutual opposition to Taiwan independence.

However, the broader political context remains complex. The measures come amid rising regional tensions and resistance from Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, who are portrayed by Beijing as obstructing cross-Strait engagement and attempting to sever economic and trade ties. Mainland officials have criticized the DPP’s actions as detrimental to Taiwan’s stability and prosperity, suggesting that the new policies counter these trends by lowering barriers and deepening exchanges.

The mainland has emphasized that successful implementation will depend on sustained efforts and tangible outcomes, aiming for long-term institutionalized cooperation rather than symbolic announcements. Recent trade data showing steady growth underscore the economic interdependence between the two sides despite political challenges.

In summary, the latest mainland initiatives reflect a multifaceted strategy to enhance connectivity and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait through economic, cultural, and political channels, while maintaining core Beijing principles. The extent to which these measures will influence cross-Strait relations will depend in part on responses from Taiwan’s government and political parties.