The Mainland Affairs Council says transportation links between China’s Fujian Province and Taiwan’s outlying islands will be reopened, but only for locals. That’s according to a press release from the council published on Thursday. The move likely paves the way for people from Kinmen and Matsu to return home from China in time for the Lunar New Year holiday.
The government has been debating how to reopen the transportation connections known as the “three mini links.” The pandemic situation in China has been central to deliberations. China has seen a large increase in COVID-19 cases, and medical resources on Taiwan’s outlying islands are limited. The links have been suspended since February 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The council’s plan says the transport links will be reopened in phases. The first phase will be between January 7 and February 6, covering the Lunar New Year Holiday. During the first phase, ferry services will be limited to 1 per day to Kinmen, and 2 per week to Matsu. Services would also be limited to Taiwanese citizens and their partners. The council says it will make further changes on a rolling basis as it monitors the situation.