Shorthand for direct links in post, transportation and trade between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. Direct communication across the Taiwan Straits in most social and economical terms virtually stopped after the Kuomintang forces retreated to Taiwan in 1949. And the contacts, if any, were routed through intermediate places, mainly Hong Kong and Macao.

In the early 1980s, the central government appealed to the Taiwan authorities for opening "three links". The latter has consistently refused, but had to make concessions in the face of growing cross-Straits exchanges. "Three mini-links" was opened in 2001 between Fujian Province and the islands of Jinmen and Matsu in Taiwan. Cross-Straits charter flights were approved in 2003 for the Lunar New Year and the flights were arranged in 2006 for three other traditional Chinese festivals.

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（英语点津　许雅宁编辑）

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