The number of tourist visits between Xiamen, Fujian province, and Kinmen Island of Taiwan has jumped to 20 million since 2001, showing frequent cross-Strait exchanges. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The number of tourist visits between Xiamen, Fujian province, and Kinmen Island of Taiwan reached 20 million as of Tuesday.

Tsai Bi-Kai, a tourist from Kinmen, was the 20 millionth tourist. He received flowers and souvenirs upon his arrival in Xiamen. "I am so lucky!" he said.

Since 2001, Tsai has traveled the route frequently. He studied for master's and doctor's degrees at Xiamen University and now works there. He sometimes spends weekends and holidays in Taiwan.

"It is very convenient. It takes only 30 minutes, and there are many ships. It's like taking a bus or subway," he said.

In January 2001, 180 people from Kinmen arrived in Xiamen by ship — the first such visit after 52 years of suspended passenger transport between the two areas. That year, the number of tourist visits on the route jumped to about 20,000. This year, it's 20 million.

Because of the frequency of ships, the low price and the short travel time, the Xiamen-Kinmen route has become a major channel for cross-Strait exchanges.

The number of tourist visits between Xiamen, Fujian province, and Kinmen Island of Taiwan has jumped to 20 million since 2001, showing frequent cross-Strait exchanges. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]