The first cross-Straits submarine optical fiber cable was laid between Xiamen and Kinmen. Its inauguration ceremony was held in Xiamen on Aug 21, signifying a farewell to third-party cross-Straits communication.

Ordinary residents will enjoy cheaper phone bills as a result of the cable. The submarine cable is also expected to further promote cross-Straits exchange and cooperation.

Two 24-core optical fiber cable paths were built connecting Xiamen's Guanyin Mountain to Kinmen's Tzihu and Xiamen's Dadeng Island to Kinmen's Guningtou. China Telecom led the cable construction with joint efforts from China Mobile, China Unicom and Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom.

The Xiamen-Kinmen submarine cable stretched through the Chinese White Dolphin Natural Reserve.

"We have paid close attention to protect the natural reserve by shortening construction period in the zone. We made it and actually did a good job. This sets an example for similar cases in the future," said Liu Cigui, director of the State Oceanic Administration.

Edited by Lin Hong and Edited by Chen Zhilin