Seven sedan cars from Taiwan arrived at a ferry terminal in Pingtan, Fujian province at noon on May 19, marking the normalization of Taiwan vehicles in Fujian. The cars were given the green light in Pingtan after no more than 30 minutes’ quarantine and inspection. The cars come to Pingtan for business and will return to Taiwan in three days. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

Background

Fujian gave a green light to road freight between Pingtan and Taiwan on April 16.

Currently there are two such ferries commuting between Pingtan and Taiwan every day. One of them is the Haixia, which is said to be one of the world's fastest roll-on and off ferries, with a capacity of 780 people, 260 small cars and 1,000 tons of cargo.

Allowing freight vehicles to drive on each other's roads will cut logistics costs for enterprises, and is expected to increase cross-Straits economic exchanges, according to insiders.

Vehicles are supposed to file a record to transportation authorities in Fujian and Taiwan, and must comply with local traffic rules.

Pingtan's transportation authority will grant permits valid for three years to Taiwan applicants.

The document also sets strict restrictions on the scope of transportation.

A Taiwan operator, for instance, is not allowed to get involved in freight transportation in Pingtan, and is forbidden to take contract business outside Pingtan. Moreover, the freight vehicle must load and unload cargo, and park at designated points in Pingtan.

Transportation of hazardous products is off the table.