Chinese travelers trickle back to a Taiwanese island, mere miles from the mainland

Zhang Zhong Jie’s cafe in Taiwan’s Kinmen Island sits within an abandoned military fortification, surrounded by remnants of past conflicts. The cafe relied heavily on tourists from mainland China for revenue, but Chinese visitors were blocked from visiting due to political tensions and the Covid-19 pandemic. The lack of tourists has had a significant impact on the local economy, with businesses struggling to stay afloat. Despite recent developments that hint at a possible return of Chinese tourists, the situation remains uncertain. Local residents are hoping for a revival of tourism to boost economic development on both sides.