Taiwan, China in first agreement over direct flights
Taiwan and mainland China reached a landmark agreement Saturday to allow nonstop charter flights over the Chinese New Year holiday, a first step that could herald a full resumption of direct transport connections between the two countries.
The limited Chinese New Year agreement will allow the first direct flights between the two rivals since 1949.
Under the current regulatory ban on direct flights, travelers between Taiwan and mainland China have to fly via a third country airport such as Hong Kong or Macau.
“We hope that the smooth negotiations on New Year charter flights will pave the way for further cross-strait talks, and be a turning point for positive interaction,” Reuters quoted Joseph Wu, chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council as saying.