The daily direct cross-Straits transport links that began yesterday would further facilitate exchanges and cut trade costs, experts on both sides said yesterday.

The mainland and Taiwan started direct air, shipping¹ and postal² services yesterday to strengthen ties. Earlier, cross-Straits flights and ships had to pass through a third place because of Taipei's ban on regular direct links.

Xu Shiquan, executive vice-president of the National Society of Taiwan Studies, said the direct links were a "breakthrough" in cross-Straits ties. "They will boost cross-Straits trade and civilian³ exchanges greatly."

About 80 percent of Taiwan's hi-tech manufacturers have shifted their production bases to the mainland, and most of them have to process their orders within three to five days, Xu said.

That's why the "daily direct links are vital they will help their survival and development," he said.

Direct services between the two sides will also help boost economic development and stabilize⁴ the mainland's job market.

Liu Guoshen, professor in Xiamen University, said direct links would help improve mutual⁵ understanding between people on the two sides, reduce enterprises' costs and sharpen their competitive edge.

"Given the global financial crisis, direct links will help the mainland and Taiwan stabilize their economies," Liu said.

Experts from Taiwan, too, praised the direct links. "They mark the beginning of more frequent civic⁶ exchanges and improved business because they will cut transportation costs and traveling time," said Lo Chih-cheng of Taiwan's Soochow University.

George Tsai, professor of political science in Taipei's Chinese Culture University, said the direct links would begin the process of full normalization⁷ of cross-Straits relations.

"Once closer links are established, it's very difficult to retract⁸ them irrespective of who becomes the island's next 'president'," Lo said.