TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The inaugural Kinmen–Brunei charter flight took place on Friday, bringing more than 140 Kinmen residents to Brunei and nearly 100 Bruneians to Kinmen.

Taiwan’s representative to Brunei, Jeffrey Hsiao (蕭勝中), greeted Bruneian travelers departing for Taiwan and welcomed the Kinmen visitors at Brunei International Airport, per CNA. Hsiao said the charter symbolizes deepening people-to-people ties.

The round trip marked a new milestone in tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries, according to Taiwan’s representative office in Brunei. Since reciprocal visa-free travel began in June this year, bilateral friendship has continued to grow, the office added.

Brunei is home to many descendants of Kinmen immigrants. Since the 19th century, Kinmen residents have settled in Brunei, contributing to the local economy and playing key roles in education, business, and culture, according to the office.