Historic Guangzhou-Taipei Flight Opens New Era
History was made on Friday with the first direct flight between Chinese and Taiwan airports for nearly 60 years.
A China Southern Airlines Boeing 757 flew from the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou to the Taiwan capital Taipei, carrying 250 passengers.
This was the first of 36 direct flights between China and Taiwan (18 in each direction) which will be flown this weekend, connecting five Chinese cities with several airports in Taiwan.
The flights between the two countries stem from an agreement signed in Beijing last month.
Under the agreement, direct flights between the two countries will be flown each weekend from Friday to Monday.
Taipei-Shanghai Flights
At the same time as the Guangzhou-Taipei flight, a China Airlines flight departed Taipei for Shanghai.
These flights were the first regular services flown between the two countries in 55 years.
Poor relations between the two countries' leaders resulted in no direct flights between the two countries, with passengers having to fly via Hong Kong or Macau.
China considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province, and has in the past threatened force if Taiwan pursues formal independence.
However, the arrival of Taiwan's new president, Ma Ying-jeou, has led to a rapid improvement in relations. Mr Ma wants stronger economic ties with China.
The China-Taipei airport flights are said to be "a new start" in exchanges between the two countries.
Chinese Tourist Numbers
The flights are expected to boost Chinese tourist numbers in Taiwan, which suffering from a slowing economy.
It is expected that up to 3,000 Chinese tourists per day will be allowd to visit Taiwan from later this month.
Correspondents in Taipei said Taiwanese people are excited by the flights.
The direct flights agreement, however, does not yet extend to air cargo flights.
Source - Airport International's Aviation Correspondent
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