II. Realization of the "Three Direct Links" Accords with the Immediate Interests of Compatriots Across the Straits, and Is the Fundamental Way to Attaining Mutual Benefit and a Win-Win Situation.
1. The Direct, Two-Way and Complete "Three Links" Is an Objective Demand for People-to-People Contacts and Economic and Trade Exchanges Across the Straits.
Between 1988 and 2002, Taiwan people made more than 27 million passenger trips to visit their relatives and friends, travel, conduct investment or engage in other cross-Straits exchanges on the mainland, whereas mainlanders' trips across the Straits reached well over 700,000. In 2002 the cross-Straits volume of passenger transport approached four million, the trade volume exceeded US $40 billion-worth, and the volume of cargo transport reached anything up to tens of millions of tons. Failure to institute the direct, two-way and complete "three links" has not only increased the economic burden on compatriots across the Straits, particularly Taiwan compatriots, but also wasted much of their time and energy.
Passenger Transport
On a flight from Taipei to Shanghai via Hong Kong, a round-tripticket only from Taiwan to Hong Kong will cost US $380. This meansthat for the 27 million passenger trips the passengers will spend a total of well over US $10 billion more than necessary. A direct flight from Taipei to Shanghai would take only one hour and 15 minutes, but when flying via Hong Kong as the stopover, the flighttime will be extended to about four hours, not including waiting time in Hong Kong.
Freight Transport
The direct distance between Shanghai Harbor and Kaohsiung Harbor is 600 nautical miles, but sea transportation bypassing Japan's Ishigaki Island is 232 nautical miles longer, a voyage costing more money and taking more time than necessary. The adoption of a direct air transport service will definitely save time and reduce transport costs by wide margins, and cross-Straitstrade will be increased as a result of improved efficiency of goods flow.
