"This County City" Mini Three Links Passenger Volume Surges! Exceeds 1 Million in First Half of Year, Record High; Taiwan Affairs Office Urges DPP to Lift Flight Restrictions

Demand for the 'Mini Three Links' ferry service connecting Kinmen and Matsu with mainland China remains strong, with local calls for increased sailings growing louder. Chen Bin-hua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, stated on July 8 that passenger volume on the Xiamen-Kinmen route surpassed 1 million in the first half of this year, setting the fastest record to reach this milestone. He urged the DPP authorities to prioritize the well-being of people on both sides of the strait and promptly lift all artificial restrictions and increase ferry services.

The Taiwan Affairs Office held its regular press conference today, hosted by Chen Bin-hua.

A mainland media outlet asked: In the first half of this year, passenger volume on the Fuzhou-Matsu 'Mini Three Links' route reached over 62,000, a year-on-year increase of more than 40%, with over 55,000 being Taiwanese travelers, up 39% year-on-year. Kinmen and Matsu have repeatedly requested additional sailings, but have not yet received approval from the DPP authorities. What is your comment?

Chen Bin-hua responded: The 'Mini Three Links' passenger ferry routes are one of the most important and convenient channels for exchanges between people on both sides of the strait, especially between Fujian and Taiwan. As of June 30 this year, the 'Mini Three Links' has safely transported over 27 million passengers. In the first half of this year, passenger volume on the Fuzhou-Matsu route reached approximately 63,000, a year-on-year increase of over 40%. Passenger volume on the Xiamen-Kinmen route surpassed 1 million, setting the fastest record to reach this milestone. People on both sides of the strait are family. We welcome our compatriots from Taiwan to visit the mainland via the 'Mini Three Links' to trace their roots, pay respects to ancestors, visit relatives and friends, and enhance exchanges and cooperation. The DPP authorities should prioritize the well-being of people on both sides and promptly lift all artificial restrictions, increasing 'Mini Three Links' sailings according to public demand.