A high-speed cruise from Taiwan, with 360 passengers onboard, reached the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone on May 2 for tourism, Pingtan Times reported, citing the Fuzhou Port Administrative Bureau.

Passengers from Matsu get off the Ho Fo Express cruise ship as it lands in Pingtan county, May 2. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

The Ho Fo Express Passenger Ferry, 71 meters long and 14.5 meters wide, is owned by the Taiwan-based Hofo Shipping Co Ltd. It can hold 442 people and 40 vehicles. It usually sails between Matsu Island in Taiwan and Mawei district in Fuzhou.

It was the first time the cruise stopped in Pingtan, a starting point for the tourists from Matsu on a three-day roots-seeking group travel in Fujian province, according to Chen Jingzhong, deputy governor of Matsu county.

He also said that Matsu hopes to break new ground with Pingtan through the trip and enhance communication with Pingtan in culture, religion, economy and tourism, especially in opening a direct marine route between the two places.

Pingtan has maintained friendly relations with Matsu and looks forward to a direct marine route as soon as possible, said Wang Jialong, an official from a local government agency for relations with Taiwan.