Setting Sail
At the Wutong Passenger Terminal in Xiamen on the coast of the Chinese mainland, a sleek ferry gently glides away from the dock. In under 30 minutes, it will arrive at Shuitou Port on Kinmen island in the Taiwan region. What was once a demanding, multi-day trek via Hong Kong or Macao is now a breezy ride—part of daily life for thousands.
25 Years of Connection
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the ‘mini three links’—the first direct postal, trade, and transport channels between the Chinese mainland and the Taiwan region, inaugurated on January 2, 2001. That day, 179 passengers in Kinmen boarded two vessels, Taiwu and Wujiang, ending over half a century of indirect cross-strait shipping.
Since then, more than 26 million passenger trips have been logged. In 2025 alone, over 1.43 million residents of the Taiwan region traveled via these routes—a record high!
Unbreakable Bonds
For decades after 1949, the Taiwan Strait felt more like a vast emotional barrier than water. Families were split. A visit between kin in Xiamen and Kinmen could take four or five days. Then, in 1979, the Chinese mainland issued the “Message to Compatriots in Taiwan”, calling for direct links. In the early 1990s, Fujian proposed a simple plan: “Kinmen–Xiamen first, Mazu–Fuzhou next.” No grand geopolitics—just common sense and shared roots.
When the first ferries crossed in 2001, tearful reunions and elders touching ancestral soil made headlines, reminding us that geography and emotion often matter more than politics.
Looking Ahead
Beyond ferries and cargo, the mini three links symbolize a bridge built by people. As we celebrate this milestone, imagine future steps: faster customs via digital IDs, cultural festivals on both shores, even student exchanges that turn cross-strait ties into shared adventures. Whether you’re a traveler exploring new horizons, an entrepreneur eyeing fresh markets, or a student tracing family history, these links show how simple connections can spark big change. 🎉🚢
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
