China, Taiwan witness over 300,000 cross-Strait marriages

BEIJING - China and Taiwan have witnessed more than 300,000 cross-Strait marriages since air travel between the two regions started in 1987, the civil affairs ministry said Tuesday.

\”Marriages between mainland and Taiwan residents and those from foreign countries act as a lubricant that smooth the communication between governments,\” Xinhua reported citing an official of the ministry.

Data from 1978 to 2009 show, over 1.2 million marriages were solemnized between mainland residents and those from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and foreign citizens, as well as overseas Chinese from nearly 200 countries.