A Taiwanese-owned high-speed ferry began operating between Taipei and Pingtan, in China’s Fujian Province, on Tuesday, adding to the transportation options across the Taiwan Strait.
Each trip aboard the Natchan Rera takes three hours.
The ship, owned by the Wagon Group, sails between Taipei and Pingtan on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while continuing to ferry passengers between Suao and Hualien in Taiwan the rest of the week.
Two Chinese-owned boats already offer regular ferry services linking Taiwan to Xiamen, also in Fujian, and to Pingtan.
Travelers can also board a ferry to the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu and travel on from there to China’s Fujian Province as part of the “small three links” that were launched in 2001.
The four-deck high-speed boat can carry 800 passengers, 24 tour buses and 300 cars.
Fares for a one-way trip are NT$3,450 for economy class, NT$3,950 for business class and NT$4,500 for first class.
A domestically developed “suicide drone,” also known as a loitering munition, would be tested and evaluated in July, and could enter mass production next year, Taiwan’s weapons developer said on Wednesday. The yet-to-be-named drone was among nine drone models unveiled by the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) on Tuesday. The drone has been dubbed the “Taiwanese switchblade” by Chinese-language media, due to its similarity to the US-made AeroVironment Switchblade 300, which has been used by Ukraine in counterattacks during Russia’s invasion. It has a range of more than 10km, a flight time of more than 15 minutes, and an electro-optical
OFFLINE: People who do not wish to register can get the money from select ATMs using their bank card, ID number and National Health Insurance card number Online registration for NT$6,000 (US$196.32) cash payments drawn from last year’s tax surplus is to open today for eligible people whose national ID or permanent residency number ends in either a zero or a one, the Ministry of Finance said on Monday. Officials from the ministry revealed which days Taiwanese and eligible foreigners would be able to register for the cash payments at a joint news conference with the Ministry of Digital Affairs. Online registration is to open tomorrow for those whose number ends in a two or three; on Friday for those that end in a four or five: on Saturday
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