KEELUNG - A ceremony was held Thursday to launch a ferry route between Taiwan and Japan's Okinawa, restoring the direct service between Keelung and Ishigaki Island after an 18-year hiatus.
The ceremony in the northern Taiwanese port city of Keelung was attended by dignitaries including lawmakers and city officials and featured a lion dance performance.
Speaking to reporters, Deputy Mayor Chiu Pei-lin expressed hope that the new service will bring more Japanese visitors to Taiwan, saying that the city had "prepared many wonderful attractions" and looked forward to welcoming tourists.
Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama said during the ceremony that the new route was more than just a transportation link, describing it as a bridge for broader development in areas including tourism, logistics, culture and education.
"I also hope the bond between Taiwan, Ishigaki, and the Yaeyama region (encompassing Ishigaki and other islands) lasts forever," Nakayama said.
The Yaima Line ferry aims to connect Keelung and Ishigaki in about eight hours. During the first month of service from Thursday, its operator will offer one round trip per week.
According to the Keelung Port's operator, a regular ferry service between Keelung and Ishigaki ran for more than 50 years before it was discontinued in 2008.
