Wuhan City in Hubei Province will open a direct shipping route to Taiwan in the middle of February, the state-owned Wuhan Transport Group revealed on February 1.

The opening of the new route follows the Cross-Straits Sea Transport Agreement signed at the end of last year. In line with the agreement, the mainland will open 63 ports, and Taiwan will open 11 ports, to cross-Straits trade.

Wuhan Datong Business Co Ltd, a branch of Wuhan Transport Group Co Ltd, is the first shipping company to win the right to transport freight directly between the mainland and Taiwan. An asphalt carrier with a global business, the company will transport bitumen across the Straits, Chutian Metropolis Daily, a local newspaper, reported on February 2.

The mainland and Taiwan agreed the "Three Direct Links" policy, including flights, shipping and mail services, at the end of last year.

(China.org.cn by Wu Jin, February 2, 2009)