Liquor limits relaxed on Kinmen, Matsu ferries

Passengers taking the ferry between coastal cities in Fujian province and the islands of Kinmen and Matsu administered by Taiwan are now allowed to take with them six bottles of Kinmen Liquor per person, increased from four bottles, the local customs control authority said on Monday.

The liquor brand from Kinmen, a spirit of many types, is famous in both Taiwan and on the Chinese mainland.

Hong Chao-hsiung, a resident from Kinmen, who runs a Kinmen souvenir store in Quanzhou, Fujian, said, "Many Taiwan passengers taking the boats will bring the liquor as a gift to their relatives and friends on the mainland."

Some are entrusted to buy the liquor for others, earning about 100 yuan ($14) per bottle, and a one-way ferry ticket costs about 150 yuan, he said, adding that "It's expected that the new policy will further stimulate passenger flow on sea routes".

The relaxation of the restriction on the number of bottles has been a gradual process since 2006, starting with a limit of 2 bottles per person and then increasing to 4 bottles.

There has been a growing demand from the people of Kinmen and Matsu to further relax the restriction in recent years.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Monday: "We responded actively to the demands from Kinmen and Matsu residents. The policy will bring more benefits to Taiwan compatriots, especially those from the two islands."

The policy supports the accelerated integration of Xiamen and Kinmen, as well as Fuzhou and Matsu, and makes life easier between these regions, she said.

"We will work hard to do things that are conducive to deepening the integrated development of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and to improve the well-being of Taiwan compatriots," she added.