Taiwan's semi-official Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) will pursue talks with its China counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), on direct shipping links in the next round of negotiations, the Commercial Times reported.
SEF chairman Chiang Pin-kung said in the report that direct shipping links across the Taiwan Strait will save shipping costs and time compared to the current practice of routing through the Ryukyu islands.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications will need to submit proposed direct routes to parliament for approval before the government authorizes SEF to negotiate with the mainland, it added. SEF and ARATS last week reached agreement on increased direct charter flights and tourism.
The report did not say when they will hold the next round of negotiations.
SEF chairman Chiang Pin-kung said in the report that direct shipping links across the Taiwan Strait will save shipping costs and time compared to the current practice of routing through the Ryukyu islands.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications will need to submit proposed direct routes to parliament for approval before the government authorizes SEF to negotiate with the mainland, it added. SEF and ARATS last week reached agreement on increased direct charter flights and tourism.
The report did not say when they will hold the next round of negotiations.