Taipei- Taiwan will allow foreign cruise ships to sail directly between Taiwan and China after a recently-signed direct shipping pact becomes effective, an official said Thursday.

Deputy Transport Minister You Fang-lai, quoted by the Broadcasting Corp of China, said that if foreign cruise ships apply to sail directly across the Taiwan Strait, so as to save the cost of having to dock at a third place, "we will approve it."

"That is if they do not pick up Chinese or Taiwan passengers when Chinese or Taiwan ports, and they only carry foreign passengers," he said.

However, Taiwan will not restrict the destination of cargo when it opens direct sea and air links with China, he noted.

"Direct shipping across the Taiwan Strait will be based on the principle of mutual benefit, so we will not place restrictions. It is the same with air cargo. We will not place restrictions on the destinations of air cargo," he said.

You meant that after Taiwan has launched direct sea and air links with China, it will allow Taiwan and Chinese ships and planes to carry transshipment cargo from Taiwan to China or vice versa.

Taiwan and China split at the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Since then, Taiwan has banned direct sea, air and trade links with China.

Because of the bans, many foreign shipping lines and cruise companies have dropped Taiwan from their international routes, dealing a heavy blow to Taiwan's export and tourism.

But on June 4, Taiwan and China signed pacts on direct sea link, direct postal link, daily charter flight and food safety.

When the pacts are passed by Taiwan's parliament, Taiwan and Chinese ships will be allowed to cross the Taiwan Strait and the weekend charter flights, launched on July
4, will become daily charter flights. (dpa)