The "mini three links" passenger ferry routes between Fuzhou City of east China's Fujian Province and the island of Matsu in China's Taiwan region handled more than 44,000 trips in the first half of this year, marking a 52 percent year-on-year increase, the Fuzhou Entry and Exit Border Inspection Station said on Tuesday.
The "mini three links" refers to small-scale trade, shipping and postal services between Fujian Province, and the islands of Kinmen and Matsu in the Taiwan region.
At about 11:00 on Wednesday, a passenger ferry docked at Fuzhou's Huangqi ferry terminal, carrying 145 passengers from Matsu's Baisha Harbor.
The majority of the passengers were Taiwan compatriots, who visit the mainland for family reunions, tourism and shopping.
"Since summer vacation has just started, we brought the kids from Matsu to spend the holiday on the mainland. It's very convenient, just a 25-minute ferry ride away," said a Taiwan compatriot.
Currently, there are two "mini three links" passenger ferry routes operating between Fuzhou and Matsu: the Huangqi-Matsu route and the Mawei-Matsu route, with a total of eight daily round sailings connecting both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
According to the Fuzhou Entry and Exit Border Inspection Station, passenger traffic on the Fuzhou-Matsu routes has shown a month-by-month increasing trend in the first half of this year.
Notably, the Huangqi-Matsu route alone handled 28,751 passenger trips during the period, surging 99.1 percent compared to the same period last year.
"We have opened more inspection channels, and provided services both in Fuzhou dialect and southern Fujian dialect to ensure smooth passenger clearance. Given that most passengers at the port are family groups, elderly travelers and young children, we have established special lanes. These measures can help create the Fuzhou-Matsu living circle," said Lin Yanxia, police officer with the Fuzhou Entry and Exit Border Inspection Station.
Fuzhou-Matsu 'Mini three links' routes see surge in passenger traffic in H1
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
