Bridging the Straits: 15 Years of 'Three Direct Links' Between Chinese mainland and Taiwan 🌉✨
Fifteen years ago, a significant milestone was reached as the Chinese mainland and Taiwan formally established the 'three direct links' – direct flights, shipping, and postal services. This move has since been instrumental in fostering closer ties and enhancing mutual exchanges between the two regions.
Connecting People and Boosting Tourism ✈️🚢
The introduction of direct flights and shipping routes has transformed the way people interact across the Taiwan Strait. For instance, in 2015, nearly 4 million mainland visitors flocked to Taiwan, accounting for 40% of its inbound tourism. This surge not only bolstered the tourism sector, generating 210 billion NT dollars in output but also created employment opportunities for approximately 220,000 people.
However, recent changes have seen Taiwan authorities restricting some mainland tourists, leading to a tourism deficit that reached a record high of 443.6 billion NT dollars in 2023.
Building a Cross-Straits Information Highway 💻📱
The establishment of a robust cross-Straits postal service in 2009 sparked a new era of communication. By 2017, correspondence and parcels between the two sides had surged by 2017% and 2215%, respectively. Fast forward to 2019, cross-Straits correspondence hit 100 million letters, with parcel deliveries exceeding 5 million pieces.
In today's digital age, the cross-Straits submarine telecommunications cable has enabled real-time remittances, online shopping on platforms like Taobao, engaging on social media like Weibo, and streaming mainland-produced dramas on Bilibili. These digital interactions have seamlessly integrated into the daily lives of Taiwan residents, fostering a shared digital culture and strengthening mutual understanding.
Overall, the 'three direct links' have significantly enhanced the flow of people, goods, and information between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, contributing to a more interconnected and collaborative Cross-Strait relationship. 🌐🤝
