Developing direct shipping across the Taiwan Straits

Direct shipping across the Taiwan Straits has been restricted since 1949 for political reasons. Goods for cross-Straits trade must be transshipped via a third place, such as Hong Kong or a Japanese port. Since commercial activities across the Straits have become increasingly prosperous in recent years, the demand for direct shipping across the Straits is growing critically important and attracts great attention from all sectors. Businessmen who are involved in cross-Straits trade have criticized the higher costs and longer transit time of transshipment. This article explores possible solutions for shipping directly across the Straits. It discusses the mode of negotiation for settling the discrepancies in viewpoints between the two sides, and aims to provide a reference for governments from both sides.