Taiwan students embark on Shandong tour

The visit came after Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te recently outlined 17 "strategies" to counter so-called "threats" from the Chinese mainland. These include raising public awareness about "risks" associated with mainland travel and limiting cross-Strait exchanges.

Hsiao condemned Lai for using administrative measures to restrict cross-Strait exchanges, limit people's freedoms and rights and even refer to the mainland as "external hostile force", thereby pushing the Strait to a dangerous situation.

He said recently he has received numerous expressions of concern from the public, who feel anxious and even pessimistic about cross-Strait relations.