Taiwan leader Ma says direct links symbol of cross-Straits reconciliation

Source: Xinhua | 12-15-2008 16:51

TAIPEI, 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.

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.