Beijing pledges better Taiwan air and travel links after KMT leader’s mainland China trip

The 10-point measures, which also include a pledge to ease restrictions on individuals travelling to the island, were announced on Sunday as Kuomintang chairwoman Cheng Li-wun concluded her visit to the mainland.Her trip, which began on Tuesday, included a meeting with President Xi Jinping – the first between the leaders of the Communist Party and KMT in nine years.On Sunday, Cheng visited the electronics giant Xiaomi’s factory in Beijing, where she met the group’s founder and chairman Lei Jun. During the tour, Lei presented her with a smartphone as a gift, according to Taiwan’s China Times.In the meeting, Xi had promised better communication and exchanges with Taiwan and to allow the island’s residents to share in the mainland’s economic development.Both Xi and Cheng highlighted the need for cross-strait peace following 10 years of escalating tensions since the independence-leading Democratic Progressive Party came to power in Taiwan.