Direct weekly flights between Beijing and Taipei
Beijing (AsiaNews) – China and Taiwan today signed a historic deal setting up direct weekly flights across the strait and increased tourism from China to the island. Moreover the deal agreed on the creation of representative offices for the emission of visas.
The signing was broadcast on live national television and marks a decided change in relations between the two nations on either side of the strait after a gap of 10 years.
Part of the deal includes 18 direct weekly flights between Taiwan and China starting from July 4th. Up until now transport between the two was restricted to authorised flights during Chinese national holidays.
The flights will directly link Beijing, Taipei, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanking, Xiamen, facilitating businessmen who have been forced to transit through Hong Kong or Macao. As of July 18th both nations will open their doors to over 3 thousand tourists per day.
During yesterday’s historic meeting, Chiang Pin-kung, Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chairman and Chen Yulin, the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (Arats) chairman, established channels of communication and regular meetings between the two organisations. In the immediate future both organisations will open offices in Beijing and Taipei to allow the direct emission of visas. Up until now visas were issued in Hong Kong through the office for trade with Taiwan and by China Travel Agency.
Later today Chiang Pin-kung will be received by Chinese president Hu Jintao.
Relations between China and Taiwan have warmed since the election of Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou, who in contrast to his predecessor, favours improving economic ties with Beijing over pursuing existing differences. Added to this however, is Beijing’s desire to avoid all agitation ahead of the Olympics. In the past China has arrived at the point of threatening Taiwan with military invasion if it dared declare independence. Since 1949 the Island which Beijing regards as “rebellious”, has become autonomous and an important economic and trade partner for the mainland, as well as a solid democracy.
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