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Direct era takes shape across Straits

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-16 06:59

Passengers board an Air China charter plane at Tianjin International Airport Monday, December 15, 2008, as they left for Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei. [China Daily] Click for more photos

The mainland and Taiwan launched daily direct passenger flights, shipping routes and postal services on Monday for the first time in 60 years as once icy ties begin to thaw. [Road to daily direct links]

The initiative underscores the most dramatic improvement in cross-Straits relations since island leader Ma Ying-jeou took office in May.

Direct era

Beijing's top official on cross-Straits affairs on Monday called the direct links "a historical stride", while Ma hailed them as "a symbol of reconciliation".

"Today is another memorable date in the history of cross-Straits relations ... which signifies that our 30-year effort has finally paid off," Wang Yi, minister of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a ceremony in Tianjin to mark the start of direct shipping. Ma said the direct routes to the mainland can signify two things. [Full Story]

Shanghai, Tianjin raise the sail

Fireworks, drum beats and lion dances bid a colorful goodbye to two giant vessels that left Shanghai for Kaohsiung in Taiwan at 10:45 am yesterday, the first direct cross-Straits journey in almost 60 years.

Fifteen minutes after that, the Xin Yan Tai left Tianjin for Keelung. The China Shipping Group ship could have become the first vessel to set sail on the historic journey because it was scheduled to depart at 9:38 am but could not because of technical reasons.

"The first direct voyage across the Straits starts," declared Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng at Yangshan Deepwater Port.

Fireworks added color to Shanghai's blue sky, and lion and dragon dances weaved magic at the beat of gongs and drums to celebrate the historic occasion. [Full Story]

For 81-year-old, it's direct from the heart

Zheng Jian posts a letter to Taiwan at Beijing Capital International Airport Monday, December 15, 2008.

In a wired-up world, few still write letters, but Zheng Jian does because he believes a handwritten missive best conveys his feelings to relatives in Taiwan.

Mailing letters has become part of the 81-year-old's life but Monday morning, after dropping a letter into a mailbox at Beijing Capital International Airport, Zheng said he felt on top of world.

He was making history: The first person to mail a letter as direct postal services across the Straits were launched at the main postal sorting office at the airport. [Full Story]

End of 'harrowing experience'

SHANGHAI -- Hong Kong, Macao, Tokyo, Chejudo, Ryukyu Islands, Manila. Li Maosheng didn't expect to visit these places but had to because he had to transfer flights there on way from the mainland to Taiwan or vice versa.

Traveling between Shanghai, where he set up a plastic glove-making venture in 1994, and Taipei used to be a harrowing experience for him. To make matters worse, he had to spend more money and time.

The chairman of Shanghai Sunmax Enterprise yesterday said he was stranded several times in Hong Kong because of typhoons. [Full Story]

Direct services to help both sides

The daily direct cross-Straits transport links that began on Monday would further facilitate exchanges and cut trade costs, experts on both sides said on Monday.

The mainland and Taiwan started direct air, shipping and postal services on Monday to strengthen ties. Earlier, cross-Straits flights and ships had to pass through a third place because of Taipei's ban on regular direct links.

Xu Shiquan, executive vice-president of the National Society of Taiwan Studies, said the direct links were a "breakthrough" in cross-Straits ties. "They will boost cross-Straits trade and civilian exchanges greatly." [Full Story]

New dawn descends over Straits

A new era in cross-Straits relations begins today with the launch of daily direct air, shipping and postal services.

The end of a nearly six-decade ban on direct links imposed by Taipei is widely expected to strengthen growing economic ties and benefit millions of people across the Straits.

Prominent politicians, including Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou and Kuomintang (KMT) honorary chairman Lien Chan, will attend inauguration ceremonies in Taiwan and on the mainland to mark the historic occasion. [Full Story]

Columnist: Direct trade with Taiwan and the 'new dynamic'

Chinadaily.com.cn columnist Brendan John Worrell.

Direct trade links, via sea and air, in addition to direct postal services, recommenced between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan Monday after almost a six-decade ban. In a year that has had some pretty significant events this must rank on that list.

Couple this with President Hu Jintao's landmark visit to Tokyo earlier this year and the inaugural trilateral summit in Fukuoka during the weekend between leaders of China, Japan and South Korea. It's just another reminder that the old way of referencing and conceptualizing China and the region needs to be adjusted if we are to work successfully within this "new dynamic". [Full Text]

HK to gain in long run

HONG KONG -- Direct links between the mainland and Taiwan may cut into Hong Kong's earnings for now but the city could benefit from a cross-Straits business boom in the long run, economists said yesterday.

Planes and ships flying across the Straits earlier had to pass through a third place, typically Hong Kong or Macao special administrative regions (SARs). But direct shipping and air links will prompt many passengers and ship owners to change the old routes.

The change could make Hong Kong lose about HK$10 million, or 3.4 percent of its external trade, said Billy Wong, senior economist with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). "Short-term loss is inevitable ... But we don't think the loss will be drastic (even) in the short term." [Full Story]

World media hail links
The launch of direct transport and postal links between the mainland and Taiwan was major news in global media organizations.