The first Taiwanese boats in more than 50 years to make legal, direct trips to the Chinese mainland docked in the south-eastern province of Fujian today, port officials said.
Two ships, the Tai Wu and the Wu Chiang, docked just before noon local time from Taiwan's fortress islands of Quemoy and Matsu.
The largely symbolic landing signalled the formal start of in Beijing's push for full trade, transport and postal exchanges with its long-time rival.
Hopes the establishment of limited direct transport and trade links with China will ease political tension pushed Taiwan stocks up more than 4 per cent today, with China-related stocks the big gainers.
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Chinese markets were unmoved.
Reuters