The mainland and Taiwan launched daily direct passenger flights, shipping routes and postal services on Monday for the first time in 60 years as once icy ties begin to thaw.

The initiative underscores the most dramatic improvement in cross-Straits relations since island leader Ma Ying-jeou took office in May.

Beijing's top official on cross-Straits affairs on Monday called the direct links "a historical stride", while Ma hailed them as "a symbol of reconciliation".

Shipping links resumed after a six-decade hiatus when a vessel bound for Taiwan left yesterday morning from the northern port of Tianjin, and one headed for the mainland left Kaohsiung.

Four freight ships belonging to mainland and Taiwan shipping companies also departed Keelung Harbor in northern Taiwan yesterday morning, heading for mainland ports.

Direct daily flights started with a Shenzhen Airlines flight taking off from Shenzhen Airport for Taipei at 7:20 am, which was followed by a Taiwan-based TransAsia Airways jetliner leaving from Taipei for Shanghai.

For the first time since 1949, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have begun direct postal services. A ceremony was held at Beijing Capital International Airport on Monday morning, marking the launch of direct cross straits postal services. Representatives from both sides of the Taiwan Strait witnessed the historic moment.

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