Home>News Center>China
       
 

Mainland, Taipei upbeat on direct flights
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-15 16:46

Taiwan and the mainland began talks Saturday on temporarily lifting the island's five-decade ban on direct flights between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits during next month's Lunar New Year holiday.

Pu Zhaozhou (R), vice chairman of the board of directors of the mainland-based Straits Aviation Exchange Commission, shakes hands with Mike Lo, chairman of Taipei Airlines Association, before their meeting with delegates from the two sides of the Taiwan Straits in Macao January 15, 2005. The two sides held talks on Saturday on landmark direct flights over the Chinese New Year holidays, a move which could ease tensions and improve the cross-Straits relations. [Reuters]
Pu Zhaozhou (R), vice chairman of the board of directors of the mainland-based Straits Aviation Exchange Commission, shakes hands with Mike Lo, chairman of Taipei Airlines Association, before their meeting with delegates from the two sides of the Taiwan Straits in Macao January 15, 2005. The two sides held talks on Saturday on landmark direct flights over the Chinese New Year holidays, a move which could ease tensions and improve the cross-Straits relations. [Reuters]
If the negotiators succeed in reaching an agreement, the deal would be the biggest breakthrough between Taiwan and the mainland in years. It could raise a possible thaw in cross-Straits tensions.

Pu Zhaozhou, vice chairman of the board of directors of the mainland-based Straits Aviation Exchange Commission, said before the talks started in a hotel in Macao that "we hope we can reach a consensus as soon as possible. Up to now, everyone has been very sincere."

His counterpart from the Taiwan island, Billy Chang, also expressed optimism: "My expectation is success."

The charter flights would carry hundreds of Taiwanese who work or study in the mainland back home for the weeklong New Year holiday, which begins February 8. The celebration is the year's biggest in Chinese societies.


Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration Chief Billy Chang (L) is greeted by Pu Zhaozhou (R) vice chairman of the board of directors of the mainland-based Straits Aviation Exchange Commission before their meeting in Macao January 15, 2005. The two sides held talks on Saturday on landmark direct flights over the Chinese New Year holidays, a move which could ease tensions and improve the cross-Straits relations. [Reuters]
Airlines from the two sides of Straits haven't flown direct flights since 1949 when local Taiwan authorities banned direct flights. 

Tens of thousands of Taiwanese travel to the mainland each year for sightseeing or doing business. But they have to change planes at a third point -- usually Hong Kong or Macao -- before flying to the mainland.

Business leaders and Taiwan residents say the indirect flights are a waste of time and money, and have been pressuring the local Taipei government to lift the ban.

In Saturday's talks, negotiators were expected to discuss recognizing travel documents and air controllers' orders, officials said. They might also agree on a timetable for flights.

In 2003, charter flights run by Taiwan airlines picked up hundreds of Taiwanese businesspeople from Shanghai. But the planes had to stop in Hong Kong or Macao, and Taiwan barred mainland airlines from servicing the route.

This year, Taiwan said it would allow mainland airlines to carry passengers if they pass through Hong Kong airspace, without touching down, instead of flying in a straight line across the Taiwan Straits.

Airlines are hoping the charter service will prompt the two sides to start regular flights, which would be extremely lucrative.



 
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

Beijing will not allow RMB to appreciate this year

 

   
 

Mainland, Taipei upbeat on direct flights

 

   
 

China, US talk to resolve textile disputes

 

   
 

FM: Vietnamese sea bandits shot, captured

 

   
 

Securities watchdog gets IPOs back on track

 

   
 

First SARS vaccine trials a success

 

   
  First SARS vaccine trials a success
   
  Expressway accidents kill 6,235 last year
   
  Checking mother-to-child HIV transmission
   
  Securities watchdog gets IPOs back on track
   
  Tree-planting paying off as 18% growth recorded
   
  More cities to establish State assets watchdogs
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Talks on charter flights to start Saturday
   
Beijing reveals plan for cross-Straits charter flights
   
Cross-Straits charter flight talks proposed
   
Cross-Straits charter flights promising
   
Official: Non-stop charter flights attainable
   
Taiwan group to talk on holiday flights
   
Taiwan urged to agree to festival flights
  News Talk  
  It is time to prepare for Beijing - 2008  
Advertisement