The Executive Yuan on Thursday announced the partial resumption of the Mini Three Links for the Lunar New Year, starting Jan.7. But the news has not been well received by everyone. Before the pandemic, the links allowed for limited transport, business, and postal services between the island counties of Matsu and Kinmen and select cities in China’s Fujian province. But the new plan limits eligibility to Matsu and Kinmen locals and their Chinese spouses.
Lo Ping-cheng
Executive Yuan spokesperson
The Spring Festival transport plan for Kinmen and Matsu locals will be in effect for two weeks before and after the upcoming Lunar New Year festival. That is, from Jan. 7 to Feb. 6, 2023.
The Mini Three Links have been suspended for almost three years, but with the easing of COVID travel rules, calls have grown for resuming them. The central government announced on Thursday that ferry services would resume starting Jan. 7, but with some conditions.
Lo Ping-cheng
Executive Yuan spokesperson
The only people eligible are the people of Kinmen and Matsu, and Chinese nationals married to locals. They must apply for permission, which will be granted on a case-by-case basis. The local governments will be in charge of managing the process.
Come civic groups have protested the plan does not extend eligibility to all Taiwanese businesspeople.
One group held a press conference calling for the full resumption of the Mini Three Links as they were before the pandemic. A Chinese national attended the event, voicing hope that she would be able to reunite with her family in China for the Spring Festival. Former lawmakers representing Kinmen and Matsu say they will hold a demonstration on Saturday alongside civic groups.
Chen Zhiyun
Chinese national
Before, all it took was a few thousand Taiwan dollars. The suspension has put a big financial burden on us. It’s also very time-consuming.
Tsao Erh-chung
Former KMT lawmaker
Why is it only for the people of Kinmen and Matsu? It should apply to all 23 million compatriots. It should be like flight services. No restrictions and open to everyone.
COVID cases are currently on the rise in China, where the BF.7 omicron subvariant has taken over. Reports say the virus is so transmissible that one person with the disease transmits it to 18 others on average. China Medical University Hospital doctor Hwang Kao-pin has said Taiwan could consider reinstating some form of travel quarantines. The head of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices says that is not necessary. Instead, vaccinations are key.
Lee Ping-ing
ACIP
There is no need to put in place stricter measures just because there are more variants. Instead, it’s best to get vaccinated with next-gen shots to lower the risk of infection.
In a recent visit to Kinmen, the head of the CECC, Victor Wang, said the medical resources on the island county were not yet sufficient to open up the gates completely.
