NIA readys for upgraded 'mini links' with China

Wu Cheng-ji, NIA chief, called on Kinmen County Magistrate Lee Chu-feng to survey local residents concerning the operation of the "mini three links" arrangement, in which people use the islet as a stopover between Taiwan and China's Fujian Province.

He also inspected NIA facilities handling immigration services and document processing, as well as a shelter for people caught by NIA police for human trafficking.

Magistrate Lee said while the government still prohibits direct transport service between Taiwan and China, the amount of people using Kinmen as a transit point, bypassing costly and time-consuming trips via Hong Kong or Macua, increased to 725,000 in 2007.

But he complained that only residents of Kinmen or those with household registration on the islet have the privilege to use the convenient route.

Kinmen presently operates direct ferry boat service to Xiamen and Quanzhou harbors of China's Fujian Province only a few kilometers away.

The Matsu Island, under Taiwan's control, also runs ferry boats to separate harbors in Fujian daily.

Opposition presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou has promised to liberalize restrictions to allow more people to take advantage of the "mini three links" arrangement.

Ma has also pledged to adopt measures to attract more tourists from China to Taiwan and the offshore islands to create more job opportunities.

Lee welcomed Ma's proposed policies.

He suggested the NIA plan ahead, including expanding its facilities to accommodate between 1.5 million and 2 million people each year.

He expects a big surge in the number of travelers, especially during the weekends and traditional Chinese festivals like Chinese New Year.

A press report said yeterday the DPP government has contemplated upgrading the "mini three links" arrangement up to "medium three medium links" to make traveling easier for more people.

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