The "mini-three-links" ferry route between Xiamen City of east China's Fujian Province and Kinmen County of China's Taiwan region will increase ferry services to accommodate a surge in travel during the upcoming eight-day Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday starting Wednesday.
The "mini three links" mechanism refers to small-scale trade, shipping and postal services between Fujian and the islands of Kinmen and Matsu in the Taiwan region.
The ferry trip takes less than 30 minutes. During peak periods, ferries depart every half hour, with passenger clearance on this route accounts for over 95 percent of the total in Fujian Province.
With nearly 45,000 passenger trips expected during the upcoming festival travel rush, daily ferry services on the Xiamen-Kinmen route will increase from 24 to 26.
"During the holiday period, the average daily passenger flow is expected to exceed 5,500, marking an increase of over 30 percent, compared to the daily average in September. Our 'Tongxin Bridge' service team will provide dedicated services for passengers, including 22 express lanes, special channels for oversized luggage, and expedited clearance for transfer passengers traveling between the airports in Xiamen and Kinmen," said Yan Man, deputy chief of the fifth duty team at Xiamen's Gaoqi Border Inspection Station.
At the Wutong Ferry Terminal in Xiamen, holiday-themed decorations have been put up, conveying festive greetings to passengers.
"Happy Mid-Autumn Festival and wish you good health. It's very convenient here. I own several properties in Xiamen and sometimes come here for vacation to enjoy the warmth of the local people. As a tourism professional, I believe Xiamen is the best place for us after traveling extensively across the country," said Mr. Chiu, a compatriot from Taiwan.
This route serves not only a transportation link but also an important bridge for cross-Strait exchanges. Specialty products including Kinmen's sorghum liquor and Xiamen's shiitake and morel mushrooms are popular purchases among travelers on the route.
"I bought some food for myself and my kid. It's very convenient, and the ferry ride is quick -- only about half an hour. I usually arrive around 09:00 and return by 17:30," said Ms. Chang, a compatriot from Taiwan.
Cross-Strait ferry services to increase frequency for upcoming holiday travel peak
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, said on Monday that the relationship between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) stands at a new historical starting point.
Xi arrived in the DPRK capital of Pyongyang earlier on Monday to begin a two-day state visit at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, marking his first trip to the country in seven years.
Delivering a speech at a welcome banquet hosted by Kim, Xi pointed out that China and the DPRK, linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common future, have seen their traditional friendship passed down across generations and grow ever stronger over time through the test of the evolving international landscape.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, and the China-DPRK relationship stands at a new historical starting point, Xi said, noting that he has reached important consensus with Kim during his visit.
From the strategic perspective of the future and destiny of socialism, both leaders have agreed to seize the general trend of the times, respond to the shared aspirations of the two peoples, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people bonds, promote the high-level development of China-DPRK relations, jointly open up brighter prospects for the socialist cause of both countries, and contribute to the continuous progress of human society, Xi said.
The successful convening of the Ninth Congress of the WPK this year has made strategic plans and major arrangements for the long-term development of the Party and the country's cause, ushering in a new period of comprehensive development of the DPRK's socialist cause, Xi said.
As good neighbors, good friends and good comrades, the Chinese side sincerely wishes that, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim, the DPRK people will successfully accomplish the goals and tasks set by the Ninth Congress of the WPK and make constant new achievements in the socialist cause of the DPRK, Xi said.
On behalf of the WPK, the government and the people of the DPRK, Kim extended the warmest welcome to Xi on his visit. Kim said that Pyongyang was filled with an atmosphere of friendship on this special day as the DPRK's Party, government and people warmly welcomed their most distinguished guest.
Noting that Xi's first overseas trip of the year had brought him to the DPRK, Kim said this fully demonstrated the great importance Xi attached to developing relations between the two parties and the two countries, and constituted the most valuable support for the DPRK's socialist cause.
Noting the meeting with Xi came nine months after their previous meeting, Kim said that during this meeting, they reached important consensus on further advancing DPRK-China relations with new contemporary connotations in light of new changing circumstances, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, which will surely accelerate the development of the DPRK-China friendship with profound historical traditions, and contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world.
The DPRK people take heartfelt joy in the remarkable achievements made by the brotherly Chinese people, Kim said, expressing belief that under the leadership of the CPC with Xi at its core, the great Chinese people will surely create greater achievements in building a great modern socialist country in all respects, realizing the Second Centenary Goal, and completing the new journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Xi says China-DPRK ties stand at new historical starting point
