21.   Businesses are putting great pressure on the Taiwanese government to end the ban on direct shipping and air ties.

22.   But Taiwan has allowed a partial opening such as inaugurating limited direct shipping last year, he said.

23.   But Taiwan maintains the shipping links do not constitute direct shipping.

24.   Cao arrived in Taiwan Sunday for an academic conference on shipping between the sides, the first such conference since China and Taiwan began limited direct shipping in April.

25.   Cargoes delivered are only for transshipment to third countries, so Taiwan maintains the shipping links do not constitute direct shipping.

26.   China last Tuesday unveiled a blueprint for direct shipping between the mainland and the island it views as a rebel province.

27.   China repeatedly urges Taiwan to lift the ban, and last year the sides inaugurated limited direct shipping.

28.   Direct shipping is still banned and cargoes will have to be transshipped to a third country, the statement said.

29.   Economic ties grew with the inauguration of limited direct shipping between the sides and promotion of visits by Chinese professionals, Chang said.

30.   He said both Indonesia and Turkey felt the importance of opening direct shipping and airline services to boost two-way trade.