China-Taiwan Direct Flights Agreement
In a historic agreement, China and Taiwan have a signed a deal which allows regular direct flights to be established between the two countries.
The deal, signed in the Chinese capital Beijing yesterday, means direct flights between China and Taiwain across the Taiwan Strait between the two countries will be operated every weekend instead of just solely during holiday periods.
The direct flights between China and Taiwan will begin on 4th July, and there will be 36 flights every week (18 flights from each country).
Direct flights between the two countries did not take place for over 55 years, because of poor relationsbetween Beijing and Taipei.
However, improving ties between the two countries resulted in an agreement being reached in 2005 to launch direct flights on four holiday periods each year.
The China-Taiwan direct flights agreement builds on this experience, and means travellers do not now have to fly to Taiwan via Hong Kong or Macau.
China-Taiwan Bilateral Talks
The direct flights agreement was reached as part of a wider round of China-Taiwan bilateral talks over tourism and transport.
From 18th July, each country is able to allow in up to 3,000 tourists per day.
As part of the deal, each country will establish permanent representative offices in the other country.
The bilateral talks have been the first formal talks between the two countries since 1999.
The agreements have been reached because of improving relations between the two governments. The new Taiwan President, Ma Ying-jeou, took office in May and says his top priority is to create closer ties to Beijing.
Closer economic links between the two countries in recent years have also been in a factor in leading to the agreements.
Officials at the talks said there is the possibility of further discussions in the future reglating to the expansion of the flights agreement to cover charter flights.
Source - Airport International's Far East Correspondent
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