Travel to Taiwan’s island – Matsu (2)
Let’s see the trade and travel progress in Matsu, taiwan
The first opening under the three small links was to allow religious pilgrims to go to Fujian Province directly from the mainland. On January 2, the first group left to much fanfare, with expectations that these new ties would bring all kinds of exchanges and economic opportunities. But in the three months since, there haven’t been huge flotillas of boats coming and going. In fact, when you ask people on Matsu streets about the “three small links,” they often quip in a deadpan style: “What links?” It’s clear that the links are more important to politicians than they are to the people.
Wu Mao-sheng, as a member of the water police, has an up-close perspective on these issues.
“Customs, quarantines and other procedures related to importing goods from the mainland deter many people. As a result, smuggling hasn’t decreased with the advent of the three small links. The difference is that now the water police are getting tougher on the petty smugglers, so the risks of punishment have increased. Meanwhile, because there are no regularly scheduled boats for passengers, people continue to smuggle themselves across as well.” He notes that as of the end of March, only one boat has legally traveled from Matsu to the mainland (apart from the boats accommodating special large groups). Yet two boats have been caught trying to smuggle people across.
Wu explains that those leaving for the mainland are going for business, or otherwise they’ve bought property or have a wife there and need to make regular trips. With more vigilant patrols by the water police but without regularly scheduled legal journeys, people have been grumbling.
