An online ticket booking platform for cross-Straits sea routes was launched on Dec 15. It is expected to offer visitors 24-hour one-stop ticketing services, according to local media reports.

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the "three direct links" for mail, trade, and transportation, which are meant to deepen cross-Straits relations. Starting from Dec 15, passengers will be able to book tickets online for 10 sea routes between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. This includes lines between Fujian's coastal regions and Jinmen, Matsu, and Penghu, as well as lines from Fujian and Zhejiang to some of Taiwan's major cities.

The platform also provides information to the public, including round-trip times, ticket prices, and other ticket information, and passengers can purchase tickets using their mobile phones.

Since the "three direct links" for trade, transport, and postal services were introduced in 2008, Fujian has opened a number of sea routes linking the province with Taiwan. One such route is between Pingtan and Taiwan, which was significant in establishing direct sea links between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, according to the Fujian Provincial Department of Transport.

A number of routes linking Fujian and Taiwan are currently operating, including four liner routes for passengers, two for direct cargo and ro-ro (roll-on roll-off), 12 for container shipments, and 31 irregular routes for bulk cargo. This makes the province a significant part of cross-Straits communication.

Scan the QR code with your mobile phone to visit the official ticketing website. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

Online booking website: http://jtyst.fujian.gov.cn/wsbs/bmfwcx/pw.htm