Taiwan compatriots in the Chinese mainland have given warm
response to the decision made by the civil aviation associations
across the Taiwan Straits to launch charter flights in 2006.
"It's good that the two sides could make the progress in
passenger and flight arrangement," said Tiao Wei-Jen, chief
representative of the Shanghai office of the Taiwan-based CSC
International Holdings.
Tiao said the arrangement on charter flights gave his family one
more choice. "I hope Taiwan and the mainland can be more open on
the traffic issues, which concerns the benefits of the two sides,"
said Tiao.
The organizations of the aviation industries across the Taiwan
Straits reached a consensus on Friday to renew the chartered
flights during the upcoming Spring Festival in 2006, based on the
successful operation between the two sides last year.
The flights will be undertaken from Jan. 20 to Feb. 13 of 2006.
The destinations on the mainland are Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou
and Xiamen, with Xiamen newly added this year, and those in Taiwan
remain Taipei and Kaohsiung.
Apart from Taiwan businessmen and their families, Taiwan
residents holding legal certificates of shuttling between the
island and the mainland will also be allowed to take the
flight.
Six airlines from the mainland and six airlines from Taiwan will
carry out the flights. Each side will undertake 36-round flights,
bringing the total to 72 round trips.
The coastal city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, first
appeared at the destination list of the charter flight. The city is
less than five kilometers from Jinmen. The two places maintain the
only direct transportation across the Straits.
"It's what we have longed for a long time," said Wu Jinzhong,
head of Xiamen's Taiwanese investment association, which has made
great efforts to apply for charter flight in Xiamen, a major
"habitat" for Taiwan businessman in the Chinese mainland.
"Our efforts were finally paid off. Not only the Taiwan people
in Xiamen, but also those in the neighboring areas can also benefit
from the flight," said Wu.
(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2005)