BEIJING -- The Chinese mainland will open a sea passenger-cargo route to Taiwan to facilitate cross-Strait ferry service, said a spokesman from the Chinese mainland on Wednesday.
A ro-ro passenger-cargo vessel named "Cosco Star" will set sail from Xiamen in southeast China's Fujian Province to Kaohsiung on Sept. 30, and the service will be offered once a week in the future, Yang Yi, spokesman with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, told reporters at a press briefing.
Another ship will set sail from Pingtan in Fujian Province to Taipei twice a week starting Oct. 9, the spokesman added.
Both routes are the first of their kind and will play a positive role in promoting cross-Strait communication, said Yang.
