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Ports prepared for opening of links to China: authorities

The heads of the nation’s four commercial ports said yesterday that the ports were fully prepared to received direct transportation from China.

The statement came in response to questions from Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Yang Chiung-ying (楊瓊瓔) at a legislative committee meeting on whether adequate preparations had been carried out.

President-elect Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said recently that he would open direct cross-strait transportation links once he takes office.

Hsiao Ting-hsun (蕭丁訓), the Keelung Harbor bureau director-general, said the port would experience no difficulties in receiving ships directly from China, adding that “all is set.”

Lee Lung-wen (李龍文), Taichung Harbor bureau director-general, said that the harbor had been ready for nine years and was only “waiting for the government to give the green light.”

Lee also said that tests at the port showed that four vessels could navigate the harbor in two hours. He said that an estimated 4,000 passengers could travel through the port each day.

Taichung port allows direct cross-strait transportation during certain festivals, such as celebrations of Matsu, so that worshipers from China can reach the port without having to go through a third destination.

Kaohsiung Harbor bureau Director-General Hsieh Ming-hui (謝明輝) said that as an international harbor, the port was well prepared to accept passengers and cargo from all corners of the world.

Wang Chung-hsiung (王鐘雄), Hualien Harbor bureau director-general, said all preparations had been made.

Ma has said that he would allow 3,000 Chinese tourists to travel to Taiwan per day as soon as July 1.

Direct sea transportation via the small three links is heavily restricted.

Cross-strait chartered flights, meanwhile, are allowed only on special holidays when many Taiwanese living in China return home.

Most transportation must go through a third destination, usually Hong Kong.
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