The government in Beijing is seemingly looking to thaw relations with South Korea, as Yonhap said on Tuesday that it learned the barriers for group tours will be scrapped to a certain extent. China has imposed curbs on trade as the United States continued with the installation of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. The sophisticated antiballistic missile defense system is seen as a threat by the most populous country.
China's National Tourism Administration decided to enable the sale of package trips for "offline" operators in the capital district and the province of Shandong, insiders said and expressed the opinion the ban will be lifted gradually across the whole territory. Reportedly, China still holds a grudge against Lotte Group for ceding land for THAAD to the government, and the travel arrangements avoid its facilities. The agreement to improve relations has been struck on October 31.
