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MAINLAND China and Taiwan launched a direct shipping services yesterday across the Taiwan Strait after Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou attended the maiden voyage ceremony of Evergreen's Uni-Adroit at Taiwan's Kaohsiung port.
The first direct service across the Taiwan Strait calls Taiwan and north China and is operated by the Uni-Adroit, the first Taiwanese ship to sail for China's northern Tianjin port from Kaohsiung port.
Evergreen Marine was presented with a memorial plaque of direct shipping during the ceremony by Kaosiung Port Authorities to commemorate the historic event. Leaders from both sides have agreed to set aside political disputes to produce a win-win situation, said of SS Lin, executive vice chairman of Evergreen Marine, adding that direct services will save money and provide shorter voyages. They will generate new business and bring new vigour to trade ties.
The Taiwan to North China service's ports of call are Tianjin, Dalian and Qingdao. The Uni-Adroit's first sailing was 90 per cent full and is scheduled to call on Tianjin on December 19. The ship carried plastics, textiles and paper to the mainland, and is expected to return with brewer's malt, vegetables and cornstarch.
Evergreen plans to launch another direct shipping service called Taiwan to mainland China apart from the Taiwan to north China service which is under negotiation.
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