Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen yesterday criticised Beijing for making “a big strategic mistake” by halting individual travel to the island while her government relaxed rules on Chinese visits in a rebuke to the mainland. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have plummeted since Tsai of the Beijing-sceptic Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) came to power in 2016 because her party refuses to recognise the idea that Taiwan is part of “one China”.

As punishment, Beijing has cut official communications, ramped up military exercises, poached diplomatic allies and ratcheted up economic pressure on the island.

China’s tourism ministry announced Wednesday the suspension of individual travel permits to Taiwan “due to current cross-strait relations”—a move that could hurt the island’s economy. The statement did not mention restrictions on group tours.

The move comes as Taiwan gears up for a presidential election in January, with China-friendly candidate Han Kuo-yu of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party hoping to defeat Tsai.

“China’s decision is a big strategic mistake ... using tourists as political tools will only spark negative sentiments among Taiwanese people. Tourism should not be politicised,” Tsai told reporters.