The Xiamen-Kinmen "Mini Three Links" passenger route is very popular. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

The Xiamen-Kinmen "Mini Three Links" passenger route surpassed 24 million passenger trips on April 1, with the increase from 23 to 24 million taking just half a year, the fastest growth rate ever recorded.

"It's very convenient. You can pass through immigration just by scanning your face," said Mr Lu, a Taiwan compatriot from Kinmen. "Over the weekend, I came to see a concert and even had some packages sent back to Kinmen in advance." Thanks to the efficient border clearance process, he chose to take the ferry to Xiamen for the concert and often visits Xiamen for leisure and shopping during his time off.

The route operates 24 daily round-trips, with over 2,000 trips inspected since the start of this year and nearly 500,000 passengers, of whom over 80 percent are Taiwan compatriots, processed, marking a year-on-year increase of more than 24 percent. Daily passenger flow on Feb 9 alone exceeded 7,800, setting a new record since the route resumed operations in 2023.

The route was launched in 2001, establishing a "golden channel" for cross-Strait exchanges, economic and trade ties, and cultural integration. It currently handles about 90 percent of all passenger traffic between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland.