Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Jessica Chen (???), who represents the outlying island of Kinmen, said Sunday that she will visit Chinese officials on Monday to discuss Beijing's recent ban on Taiwan liquor and the future development of cross-strait travel known as the "mini-three links."

Chen said she hopes to get a clearer grasp of China's positions on those issues through person-to-person meetings, following an invitation from the "relevant Chinese authorities," though she declined to provide any further details.

Following China's announcement on Dec. 9 that it will suspend some shipments of beer, liquor and other beverages from Taiwan -- including several products considered essential to Kinmen's economy -- Chen said on her Facebook page that the outlying county "cannot afford to wait."

According to the website of China's General Administration of Customs, 11 out of 28 beer and distillery items registered by Taiwanese exporters face shipment suspensions starting Dec. 9, with the affected suppliers including Taihu Brewing, Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Inc., King Car Food Industrial Co., Legend Brewery Co., Win Shan International Co. and state-own Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor Corp. (TTL).

Although the trip may draw criticism, Chen said, the meetings are necessary to develop a better understanding of the situation -- including China's position and whether a channel can be established at a minimum to improve communication.

Chen said she will also exchange ideas with Chinese officials over Beijing's ban on Taiwanese seafood exporters two days before the liquor ban.

In addition, Chen said the meetings will also touch on the possibility of restarting the travel part of the "mini-three links," which has become a key demand of Kinmen residents.

The mini-three links refers to direct trade, postal and transport services launched on Jan. 1, 2001 between Kinmen and Matsu in the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Xiamen, Mawei, and Quanzhou in China's Fujian Province.

However, travel between the two sides was suspended by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan's main agency in charge of China affairs, on Feb. 10, 2020 amid concerns over the spiraling COVID-19 outbreak in China.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel