Hey there! Have you ever imagined traveling from one place to another in less than 30 minutes? Well, that’s now possible between Xiamen, a city in China, and the Kinmen Islands, which are part of Taiwan! 🌊
Since 2001, people have been hopping on ferries to travel the short distance across the sea. But when COVID-19 came along, the ferries had to stop for almost three years. 😷
Good news! The ferries started running again in January. Now, there are 20 trips every day, and over 1.15 million people have enjoyed the quick journey! 🚢
The friendly staff at the border are making things super easy. For people who travel a lot, it takes only two minutes to register! And if it’s your first time, don’t worry—they’re there to help, even speaking in local dialects to make everyone feel at home. 💬
Passengers are excited about the service:
- Ye Qingxin from Kinmen said, “The ships are comfortable. I live in Kinmen. We are here for vacation and shopping.” 🛍️
- David Hsu from Kaohsiung shared, “I have been using this route for more than 10 years. The development here is very good, and all services are convenient.” 🏙️
It’s not just people from Taiwan making the trip! Many travelers from the mainland are also visiting Kinmen and the nearby Matsu islands. Some are even going on bike rides across the new Kinmen bridge! 🚴♂️
Mail and packages are zipping across the sea too! Since 2008, thousands of letters and parcels have been sent between the two sides every day. This means friends and families can stay in touch more easily. 📬
These connections are called the “three direct links,” and they include transportation, mail, and trade between China and Taiwan. They help people share ideas, goods, and have fun together! 🎉
The best part? These links are bringing people closer and making life better on both sides. Here’s to more friendships and adventures across the sea! 🌟
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
