🎉 This month marks 25 years since the historic 'mini three links' connected China's Taiwan region with the mainland through direct transport, trade, and postal services. What began as a 30-minute ferry ride between Xiamen and Kinmen in 2001 has grown into a lifeline for millions – with over 26 million passenger trips to date!
🌊 For decades after 1949, the Taiwan Strait separated families and commerce. A journey between Kinmen and Xiamen – visible on clear days – once took 4-5 days via Hong Kong or Macao. The 2001 breakthrough turned this into a 30-minute commute, reuniting tearful relatives and reigniting cultural bonds.
📈 Last year saw record travel: 1.43 million Taiwan residents used the routes, proving demand remains strong. As one Kinmen local told us: 'It’s not just ferries – it’s our shared history sailing across the waves.'
🤝 The links trace back to 1979, when the mainland proposed reconnecting through the 'Message to Compatriots in Taiwan.' By prioritizing practical ties over politics ('Kinmen–Xiamen first' became the 90s slogan), these routes became living proof that geography and kinship outlast divisions.
🚢 What’s next? With 2026 marking a quarter-century of connectivity, young entrepreneurs are pushing for expanded e-commerce links and faster cargo routes. As cross-strait travelers toast this milestone, many hope it lights the way toward deeper collaboration. 🥂
