The Chinese mainland on Sunday announced a package of preferential policies aimed at promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and enhancing the well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Released by the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the measures follow extensive consultations with relevant departments. The policy package covers political dialogue, youth exchanges, trade facilitation, infrastructure connectivity and cultural cooperation.

At the political level, the mainland proposed a regularized communication mechanism between the CPC and the Chinese Kuomintang, based on adherence to the 1992 Consensus and opposition to "Taiwan independence".

The initiative emphasizes the principle that "compatriots across the Strait are one family" and seeks to respond to the shared aspirations for peace, development, exchange and cooperation of compatriots across the Strait.

To strengthen youth engagement, the plan establishes an institutionalized platform for two-way youth exchanges. Organizations such as the All-China Youth Federation will work with KMT youth bodies to hold regular exchange activities, with around 20 youth delegations from Taiwan invited to visit the mainland each year.

Mainland authorities will also promote, where conditions permit, the provision of water, electricity and gas services, as well as explore the possibility of bridging links between coastal areas in Fujian province and the islands of Jinmen and Matsu. The move is aimed at improving the livelihoods of local residents, according to the announcement.

In terms of transportation, the mainland will push for the full normalization of cross-Strait passenger flights. Support will also be given to resuming routes connecting Taiwan with cities such as Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Xi'an in Shaanxi province, Harbin in Heilongjiang province, Kunming in Yunnan province, and Lanzhou in Gansu province. In addition, the plan supports the shared use of a new airport in Xiamen, Fujian province, by Kinmen residents.

The measures also include steps to expand trade and economic cooperation. A new communication mechanism will be established to facilitate the import of Taiwan's agricultural and fisheries products that meet inspection and quarantine standards. Taiwan producers will also be encouraged to participate in mainland trade fairs and business matchmaking events to broaden market access.

Further policies aim to improve access for Taiwan's fisheries sector by studying the construction of ports and berths in eligible mainland regions for Taiwan deep-sea fishing vessels, as well as facilitating the sale of their catches on the mainland.

In addition, the mainland will also streamline procedures for Taiwan food producers to register and export their products, while exploring the establishment of small-scale cross-Strait commodity trading markets to support small and medium-sized enterprises from Taiwan in expanding into the mainland market.

In the cultural sector, the mainland will allow the introduction and broadcast of high-quality Taiwan television dramas, documentaries and animated programs on satellite TV channels and online platforms. Taiwan creators will also be encouraged to produce short web dramas focused on shared cultural heritage and promote closer cross-Strait ties.

Additionally, authorities will work toward resuming pilot programs allowing individual residents of Shanghai and Fujian province to travel to Taiwan.

The announcement coincided with the conclusion of a six-day visit to the mainland by a delegation led by KMT chairwoman Cheng Li-wun.