High-speed cruise liner Haixia made its inaugural voyage to Taipei on Wednesday, marking the opening of a new sea route across the Taiwan Straits.

Hailed as the world's fastest roll-on, roll-off ship, Haixia left Aoqian wharf in Pingtan county at 9 am and arrived at Taipei harbor three hours later.

Wu Kuo-sheng of Taipei was on deck waving goodbye to the cheering crowds on shore before the ship sailed.