China
Taiwan leader Ma says direct links symbol of cross-Straits reconciliation
Source: Xinhua | 12-15-2008 16:51
Special Report: Three Links Across TaiwanTAIPEI, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan leader Ma Ying-Jeou on Monday said direct transport and postal services across the Taiwan Straits symbolized reconciliation between the island and the Chinese mainland.
At a ceremony at south Taiwan's Kaosiung port, Ma expressed the hope that the two sides could work together for common peace and prosperity after the direct transport and postal services started.
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Container ship "Yuanhe" of China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO) departs for Kaohsiung Port in southeast China's Taiwan, from Yangshan Deep-water Port in Shanghai, east China, Dec. 15, 2008. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan started direct air and sea transport and postal services Monday morning.(Xinhua/Liu Ying) |
Together with other Taiwan officials and representatives of the local shipping industry, Ma witnessed the container ship Uni-Adroit, owned by the Taiwan shipping giant Evergreen, depart at 10:15 a.m. (0215 GMT) from Kaosiung to Tianjin on the Chinese mainland.
Ma said he was "gratified" because direct cross-Straits links marked an era of negotiation and reconciliation instead of confrontation between the two sides.