Taiwan talks up `small 3 links' transport

The "small three links" set up between Kinmen and Matsu and two Chinese ports have played different roles for the two sides, with passenger transport services being the major function for Taiwan and product shipments being the main function for China, according to government statistics.

Since the direct trade and shipping links were opened between the islands of Kinmen and Matsu and the Fujian ports of Xiamen and Mawei in January 2001, ships using the route have made a total of 15,000 port calls at Matsu and Kinmen, with 44.3 percent being Taiwanese vessels and 54.5 percent being Chinese ships, according to the tallies compiled by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics.

During the same period, more than 951,000 passengers traveled via the small three links route, with 94 percent of them being Taiwan-ese, while 2.3 million tonnes of products were handled at the Kinmen and Matsu ports, with 2.29 million tonnes -- mainly gravel and construction materials -- coming from China. The remaining 1 percent of China-bound products were Kinmen's liquor and sugar.

Over half of the visitors from China entering Kinmen and Matsu via the links came for academic, religious or business purposes, while the other half came for reunions with their Taiwanese spouses or family members or for tourism.

A total of 48,000 Chinese tourists have been allowed to sight-see in Taiwan as of the end of June.