萬國法律事務所

Taiwanese jetliners and cargo ships left Dec 15 2008 for China to open a new era of direct air and shipping services with the mainland, formally ending a nearly six-decade ban on regular links cross the Strait.

It takes one-and-a-half hours for the fastest Taiwan High-speed Railway run to cover the 300 kilometers between the two metropolises in Taiwan. It takes 85 minutes, five minutes less, for anyone to fly between Taipei and the resort city on the other side of the Strait. A flight between Taipei and Shanghai takes exactly the same time. It is estimated that the shortened air routes can save NT$1.8 billion per annum.

Under the direct shipping agreement, Taiwan opened up 11 seaports, including Keelung and Kaohsiung. All voyages across the strait had to be detour to Ishigaki-jima, one of the Okinawa Islands. Direct shipping saved at least NT$1.2 billion for Taiwan a year. With the time for voyages almost halved, Taiwan can ship fruit, produce and fish to China for longer display at supermarkets. An added income from a boost in Taiwan's agricultural exports to China is not included in the NT$1.2 billion to be saved in the reduced cost of shipping.