A truck is being sterilized after getting off a ship at a port in Pingtan, Fujian province, on April 16. [Photo/ptnet.cn]

Background:

Cross-Straits road transportation, as the official document explains, refers to transportation activities operated by freight vehicles which land in Pingtan or Taiwan by roll-on/roll-off ferries.

Currently there are two such ferries commuting between Pingtan and Taiwan every day. One of them is the Haixia, which is said to be one of the world's fastest roll-on and off ferries, with a capacity of 780 people, 260 small cars and 1,000 tons of cargo.

Vehicles are supposed to file a record to transportation authorities in Fujian and Taiwan, and must comply with local traffic rules.

Pingtan's transportation authority in will grant permits valid for three years to Taiwan applicants.

The document also sets strict restrictions on the scope of transportation.

A Taiwan operator, for instance, is not allowed to get involved in freight transportation in Pingtan, and is forbidden to take contract business outside Pingtan. Moreover, the freight vehicle must load and unload cargo, and park at designated points in Pingtan.

Application guide for cross-Straits road freight transportation

Operators on the Chinese mainland need to present

1. A record file for cross-Straits road freight transportation

2. The road transportation business certificate and a copy

3. The road transportation certificate of the vehicle and a copy

4. Driving license and qualification of the driver and a copy

5. The vehicle license and a copy

Taiwan operators, need to present

1. A record file for cross-Straits road freight transportation

2. Approval documents for the business issued by Taiwan's authorities and a copy

3. A business license registered in Taiwan and a copy