Mainland hopes Taiwan OKs extra new year flights

The Chinese mainland hopes Taiwan authorities will consider public demand and add extra flights across the Taiwan Straits during the Spring Festival in January, which will make it easier for Taiwan people on the mainland to return home during the busy holiday, a Chinese mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.

"It is now an established fact that the Taiwan civil aviation authority has explicitly refused the proposal," said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, in response to a reporter's question about whether Taiwan is still considering the idea.

"If the Taiwan side says they haven't refused the proposal, and is still considering it, that will be very good, and we hope they will contact our civil aviation authority to discuss the details," Ma said.