BEIJING — China announced on Friday that it would resume direct flights between mainland cities and Taiwan and lift bans on Taiwanese aquaculture imports, reversing restrictions that had been in place for several years. The announcements came after Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing with Kuomintang Party head Cheng Li-wun, their first meeting in a decade.

The Taiwan Work Office under the Communist Party of China said it would facilitate the resumption of direct flights from cities including Xi'an and Urumqi to Taiwan, though it remained unclear how the measures would be implemented. China had banned individual trips by Chinese citizens to Taiwan in 2019, and direct flight routes between the two sides had been suspended.

China also said it would resume imports of Taiwanese aquaculture products. Beijing had banned the import of Taiwanese pineapples in 2021 and subsequently extended its restrictions to grouper fish, squid, tuna, and other fruits. After the initial ban on grouper, Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture had approached China about making adjustments to meet import requirements. China later provided a limited list of individual Taiwanese companies allowed to export to the mainland but did not explain its selection criteria.

During Friday's meeting, both Xi and Cheng called for peace but did not provide specific details. The Taiwan Work Office also said it would explore establishing a longstanding communication mechanism with the Kuomintang.

China claims the island of Taiwan as part of its territory, though Taiwan is self-ruled. In 2016, when Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party was elected president, Beijing cut off most official dialogue with Taiwan's government in Taipei. Since 2016, Beijing has also sent military planes and vessels toward Taiwan on a daily basis.

Taiwan said in a statement that it would continuously assist farmers and businesses in expanding into overseas markets to diversify risk. Taiwan currently requires Chinese visitors to hold a valid resident visa from another country, such as the U.S. or the European Union, in order to apply for a Taiwan visitor visa.