Marine express services to boost cross-Straits trade ties

In the bustling southeastern port city of Xiamen, a ship loaded with clothing and food from the mainland set off to Taiwan at 7 pm.

Thirteen hours later, it arrived at Taipei where goods were declared through an expedited channel. The whole process took less than a day.

The trip, which took place in early July, marked the beginning of the two-way cross-Straits marine express service. It is a big improvement from traditional marine cargo services, which often take five days to ship and clear the products.