Cross-Straits talks begin next month

The mainland and Taiwan will hold talks next month, paving the way for regular weekend charter flights and tourism.

The mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) - the main channel for talks with the island - yesterday proposed a meeting with its Taiwan counterpart, the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF), which said it accepted the proposal "with willingness".

It is the latest sign of rapidly warming relations across the Straits following a high-level meeting between the two sides on Wednesday.