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Roundup: Direct Cross-Strait "Three Links" Irresistible
A Symposium on Direct Cross-Strait Marine Links, after four years of suspension, was held earlier in Shenzhen. Broad consensus was reached and many a varied suggestions were heard after three days' academic discussion by the whole attendance, motivated by the desire for direct and the earliest opening of "three links" as the irresistible demand of the Chinese nation across Taiwan Strait.
For many years, indefatigable efforts have been made by shipping companies across Taiwan Strait to push the opening of cross-Strait links. Since 1992, the "Cross-Strait Shipping Exchange Association and "Taiwan Cross-Strait Shipping Association" had held four academic symposiums and had exchange of views on the problem of direct cross-Strait shipping.
In April 1997, Xiamen Shipping Company sent its "Shengda" to Gaoxiong Port, ending the history of nearly having no cross-Strait commercial shipping in the past 50 years. In the same year, "three destinations" were opened to cross-Strait shipping.
This year, new shipping routes were opened from Fujian to Kinmen and Mazu. Altogether 104 shipments/times were conducted and a total of 15,000 passengers had been on the voyages made. But the majority had been Taiwanese on a visit to their relatives, on a pilgrimage to or tour of the mainland.
For various reasons popularly known, no actual shipments of goods or commercial shipping had been witnessed across Taiwan Strait. Cross-Strait shipments had and have to go by way of transit transportation in obstructing the development of Taiwan's economy, not to say the big loss of money and time.
By direct cross-Strait shipping would naturally be meant a great cut of time to be used and a minimal amount of transportation costs needed without doubt. It is estimated that by container transportation alone an annu1 total of 10 million US dollars would be saved across the Strait. In the meantime, as things stand at present with cross-Strait shipments, container transportation by cross-Strait companies takes up only 20 percent while leaving the bulky part of 80 percent by their foreign counterparts, pointing to the huge losses of shipping earnings to both sides across the Strait.
With the expansion of cross-Strait and economic cooperation and an increase in exchanges between people across the Strait, more and more Taiwan compatriots have come to realize that Taiwan has its root on the mainland and it can hardly do without the help of the mainland. There has been raised therefore the great demand for direct opening of "three links" across Taiwan Strait.
Recently Taiwan called a relevant economic meeting to look for ways in developing Taiwan's economy. Many Taiwan businessmen with investment made on the mainland have been back home demanding a thorough break with "no haste, be patient" and opening of direct "three links" at a possible early date. People have come to see a consensus reached by personages attending the symposium for pushing forward cross-Strait relations. So long as the fundamental interests of cross-Strait people and businessmen are met, beneficial to the development of cross-Strait trade and economy, they will all be happy to lend a helping hand to the opening of the "three links", they said.
Toward the yearend or by early next year, the two sides across Taiwan Straits will enter the WTO to usher in a new opportunity for the opening of "three links". According to experts, there would be no chance to speak of if the two sides could not achieve direct "three links" under the "one-China" principle after their entry into the WTO.
By now, the two sides across the Strait are at a time "complete with everything ready waiting for the help of East wind". By this "East wind" is meant "one China, two-way direct shipping and mutual benefit" to advance the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and remove all man-made obstacles that should be eliminated.
By People's Daily Online
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