China suspends Taiwan travel permits for independent visitors

July 31 (UPI) -- China is suspending individual travel permits for its citizens traveling to Taiwan amid high tensions between the two governments.

Beijing's ministry of culture and tourism made the restrictions public on its proprietary website on Wednesday. The announcement was co-issued under the name of the Association for Tourism Exchange across the Taiwan Straits, a semi-official representative office of mainland China in Taiwan that handles tourism-related affairs.

The Chinese agency did not provide details, but said the decision was due to a "consideration for current bilateral relations" between China and Taiwan.

China began to allow Chinese to travel solo to Taiwan in 2011, as part of a program that would allow only Chinese residents of 47 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen, to travel independently.

Taiwan's Central News Agency reported the restrictions were made known early Wednesday to travel agencies in Beijing and Shandong Province.

The G-class Chinese visa, valid for six months, will be suspended, according to CNA.

The restrictions could seriously affect businesses in Taiwan that depend on tourist dollars.

Hong Kong's Apple Daily reported about 700,000 independent Chinese travelers will not be able to visit Taiwan in the second half of 2019, resulting in $125 million of lost revenue.

China recently held drills near Taiwan. Sections of the People's Liberation Army in charge of the East and South combat zones carried out the training -- the same sections in charge of potential invasions of Taiwan, according to Taiwanese analysts.

Beijing has previously expressed disapproval of Taiwanese purchases of U.S. weapons.