Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – The 2026 Spring Festival travel rush officially kicked off on February 2nd, with a continuous surge in Taiwanese compatriots returning home to visit relatives. That morning, the waiting hall of Xiamen Wutong Passenger Terminal was adorned with red lanterns and Chinese knots, and staff were busy handing out New Year's greetings and couplets to passengers traveling between the two sides of the strait, creating a festive and warm atmosphere.
The Gaoqi Border Inspection Station of the Xiamen Border Inspection General Station reported that during the 2026 Spring Festival travel rush, the Xiamen-Kinmen "Mini Three Links" passenger route will operate 948 round trips to Wutong Passenger Terminal, transporting an estimated 200,000 passengers, ensuring convenient and smooth travel for Taiwanese compatriots returning home.
"I felt a strong festive atmosphere as soon as I entered; it was especially heartwarming," said Wang Xiaodong, a Taiwanese compatriot experiencing the Xiamen-Kinmen "Mini Three Links" route for the first time. He added that he had visited many scenic spots in Quanzhou and Xiamen, sampled local delicacies, and prepared gifts for relatives and friends, making the trip very rewarding.
Ms. Liu, a resident of Kinmen in her sixties, carrying New Year's goods she purchased in Xiamen, helped her elderly mother, who was in her eighties, towards the smart fast-track channel with the assistance of police officers from the "Tongxin Bridge" service team. "I took my mother to Zhongshan Road and Gulangyu Island, and bought her her favorite satay noodles and peanut brittle," Ms. Liu said. She added that after registering for the fast-track channel through the "Border Inspection e-Window," she can now pass through customs by facial recognition every time, which is extremely convenient.
It is reported that since the "Border Inspection e-Window" was launched on January 1, 2026, the number of registrations for fast-track customs clearance has increased by over 70% within a month, and facial recognition customs clearance has become the preferred mode of travel for more and more Taiwanese compatriots.
To cope with the Spring Festival travel rush, the Gaoqi Border Inspection Station relies on the Xiamen-Kinmen "Mini Three Links" passenger smart clearance service system to issue real-time passenger flow reminders. During peak ferry periods, a continuous clearance and release mode is implemented. At the same time, convenient channels such as the smart fast-track channel, the emergency transfer passenger support channel, and the large baggage channel are open around the clock, enabling passengers to "pass through customs by facial recognition" and "instant inspection upon arrival," fully safeguarding the reunion of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. (over)
