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The three links (三通) are direct postal, telephone, and airline links between Mainland China and Taiwan. Since the end of major combat operations of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, all such contact had been routed through intermediate destinations, mainly via Hong Kong or Macau.
The three little links (小三通) are postal, telephone, and transportation links between Fujian province and the islands of Quemoy and Matsu. Activity via the "mini links" has grown rapidly since they were created in 2001, but it remains a small part of overall trade.
In early 2003, the Republic of China government permitted its air carriers to ferry Chinese New Year passengers back and forth across the Strait by way of "indirect charter flights" that touched down briefly in Hong Kong or Macau. The ROC and People's Republic of China did not repeat the charter flights during the 2004 Chinese New Year, in part because the two sides could not agree on the terms for meetings to discuss how PRC carriers might also participate.
The two sides agree to permit cross-strait flights for the Chinese New Year of Rooster in 2005. Unlike the 2003 flights, the 2005 flights will not have to touch down in Hong Kong or Macau, but still must enter its airspace. The first direct commercial flights from the mainland China (from Guangzhou) to Taiwan since 1949 arrived in Taipei on January 29, 2005. Shortly afterwards, a China Airlines carrier landed in Beijing. Airports on both sides saw ceremonial displays on the arrival of the first passengers, with dancing lions and dragons, and officials making speeches. For the three week holiday period, 48 flights are scheduled.
While the PRC and ROC agree in principle on opening the three links, President Chen Shui-bian, whose party has been supportive of Taiwan independence, has expressed reservations, saying the PRC could disguise troop carriers as commercial aircraft in order to attack Taiwan. This has been met by criticism from both the PRC and Pan-Blue Coalition.
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