Mainland spokesman urges Taiwan authorities to remove obstacles on cross-Strait ferry services

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities should give priority to the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and increase ferry services for the "Mini Three Links" routes, said Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.

The "Mini Three Links" routes provide direct ferry services between coastal areas of Fujian province and the islands of Jinmen and Matsu.

In the first half of this year, the number of trips handled through the Fuzhou-Matsu "Mini Three Links" passenger route increased by more than 40 percent year on year to more than 62,000, including 55,000 made by Taiwan compatriots, an increase of 39 percent. However, the DPP authorities have not yet approved the requests from Kinmen and Matsu to increase the ferry services.

"The 'Mini Three Links' passenger routes are one of the most important and convenient channels for exchanges between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, especially between Fujian and Taiwan. As of June 30, 2026, the 'Mini Three Links' have safely handled more than 27 million passenger trips. In the first half of this year, the Fuzhou-Matsu 'Mini Three Links' route served approximately 63,000 passenger trips, an increase of more than 40 percent year on year, while for the Xiamen-Kinmen route, the number of passenger trips surpassed 1 million, which means a new record for the route -- handling 1 million passenger trips within the shortest period," Chen said.

"Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one family. We welcome our Taiwan compatriots to visit the mainland via the 'Mini Three Links' routes to trace their roots, pay respects to their ancestors, visit relatives and friends, and engage in exchanges and cooperation. The DPP authorities should prioritize the well-being of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, promptly remove all artificial restrictions, and increase the number of 'Mini Three Links' ferry services based on the travel needs of people on both sides," he said.

Mainland spokesman urges Taiwan authorities to remove obstacles on cross-Strait ferry services

China on Wednesday launched a national summer holiday cultural and tourism consumption campaign, with more than 450 million yuan (about 66 million U.S. dollars) worth of consumer vouchers to be distributed.

Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the campaign aims to improve the supply of seasonal tourism products and services and encourage people to enjoy travel during the summer holidays.

Running from early July to late August, the campaign is expected to feature more than 30,000 activities nationwide, catering to popular travel demands, such as summer getaways, coastal vacations, night tourism, cruise trips and study tours.

The ministry, along with other relevant agencies, will put a series of support measures in place, ranging from travel information guides to preferential financial policies.

A launching event was held in Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province on Wednesday.

This campaign comes as China has set a target of significantly enhancing people's access to and satisfaction with tourism by 2030, according to a new five-year tourism development plan issued on Tuesday.

China to issue 450 mln yuan in consumer vouchers for summer holidays