"Haixia,"  a high speed ferry shuttling between Pingtan and Taiwan

More than 30 representatives from various Taiwan business associations, including the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland and the Pingtan Taiwan Merchants Association called for the resumption of direct sea transportation between Pingtan and Taiwan. On a recent visit to Pingtan on March 21, the delegation visited Pingtan Aoqian Passenger Terminal, and experienced boarding the high-speed passenger ferry, "Haixia." During the pandemic, “Haixia” has suspended its service until further notice. Pingtan, the closest place on the mainland to the island of Taiwan, is a national-level pilot zone for cross-Straits integration.

Wu Zhengyan, president of the Pingtan Taiwan Merchants Association, who has been running his business in Pingtan for over a decade, expressed hope for the early resumption of the “Haixia” ferry service. Like many Taiwan compatriots on the mainland, Wu has been relying on the convenience and cost-efficient service of the Haixia to travel back to Taiwan in the past. Similarly, Chen Yiting, vice chairman of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland, said that "Haixia" is a more convenient option than the "small three links," which require a boat trip to Kinmen Island before flying to Taiwan.

In addition to the ferry service, the representatives also visited the Cross-border E-commerce Park, the Emerging Industry Park, and the Taiwan-themed Town of Pingtan, to explore more cooperation opportunities. Yang Ronghui, also vice chairman of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland, echoed the sentiment that the resumption of the "Haixia" ferry service is the shared expectation of all Taiwan businessmen.

The visit to Pingtan reflects the desire of Taiwan businesses to maintain close ties with the Chinese mainland and expand cooperation opportunities. The resumption of the "Haixia" ferry service will benefit Taiwan businessmen and enhance the exchanges and mutual understanding between the people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

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