Chinese mainland, Taiwan start direct postal ser

 

The Shenzhen Airlines plane carrying the first group of mainland tourists from Shenzhen goes through a welcome water fountain at the Songshan airport in Taipei December 15, 2008. Passenger and cargo vessels owned by mainland and Taiwan companies will sail directly across the Straits subject to official approval.

A man holding balloons stands next to a ship leaving for Keelung in Taiwan during a ceremony of the first direct sea transport across the Straits, at Tianjin Port in northern China December 15, 2008. Passenger and cargo vessels owned by mainland and Taiwan companies will sail directly across the Straits subject to official approval

Workers on a cargo ship bound for the mainland release confetti before setting sail during a ceremony at a port in Taiwan's Keelung December 15, 2008. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will begin direct air, sea transport and postal services on Monday for the first time since 1949

Workers on a cargo ship stand behind a banner before setting sail during a ceremony inside a port in Keelung of Taiwan December 15, 2008. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will begin direct air, sea transport and postal services on Monday for the first time since 1949.

Officials take a group photograph in front of a cargo ship bound for the mainland on a direct route during a ceremony inside a port in Keelung of Taiwan, December 15, 2008. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will begin direct air, sea transport and postal services on Monday for the first time since 1949.

A ship shoots jets of water at a vessel from the first batch of cargo ships bound for the mainland on a direct route during a welcoming ceremony at a port in Keelung of Taiwan December 15, 2008. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will begin direct air, sea transport and postal services on Monday for the first time since 1949. [Agen

A ship leaves for Keelung of Taiwan during a ceremony of the first direct sea transport across the Straits at the mainland's Tianjin Port December 15, 2008. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will begin direct air, sea transport and postal services on Monday for the first time since 1949.

Two workers stand in front of a ship leaving for Kaohsiung of Taiwan during a ceremony of the first direct sea transport across the Straits at the mainland's Tianjin Port December 15, 2008. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan will begin direct air, sea transport and postal services on Monday for the first time since 1949.