The mainland will soon resume travel for Shanghai residents to the Jinmen and Matsu islands administered by Taiwan, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on Wednesday.

In an online statement, the ministry said the move aims to further normalize cross-Strait exchanges and communications, promote regular interactions across various sectors, and respond to strong demand from the people and tourism industry in Taiwan.

Preparations for the resumption are actively underway, the ministry said, expressing hope that tourism industries on both sides of the Taiwan Strait will strengthen communication and coordination to provide high-quality services and products for mainland residents traveling to Jinmen and Matsu.

Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday that the measure represents a concrete step toward strengthening exchanges and reflects the strong aspirations of people on both sides of the Strait.

He noted that the decision aligns with mainstream public opinion in Taiwan, which calls for peace, development, communication, and cooperation. "We actively support it and are pleased to see it happen," Chen said.

Chen stressed that the mainland has consistently upheld the principle that "both sides of the Strait are one family" and has long supported the normalization of cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in all fields to benefit the people in Taiwan.

He also urged the Democratic Progressive Party authorities to heed mainstream public opinion and calls from the tourism industry on the island, lift restrictions and obstacles to cross-Strait exchanges, and restore tourism for mainland residents to Taiwan as soon as possible.