Beijing welcomes talks on charter flights
By Cao Desheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-04 05:54

The mainland Wednesday welcomed Taiwan authorities' approval of talks on cross-Straits passenger and cargo charter flights.

"We have noted the views of the Taiwan side on the cargo and passenger charter flight services between the mainland and Taiwan," Xinhua quoted a spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council as saying.

A Taiwan woman displays her air ticket after becoming the first Taiwan compatriot in Shanghai to get a ticket for the non-stop direct charter flights across the Taiwan Straits January 22, 2005. The Chinese mainland and Taiwan reached a landmark deal January 15 to allow non-stop charter flights over the Chinese New Year holidays. [newsphoto]

He made the remark after Taiwanese "premier" Frank Hsieh reportedly said yesterday that his government is ready to hold talks with the mainland on expanding cross-Straits charter flights and allowing Taiwanese airlines to fly over mainland airspace.

The mainland spokesman said: "Our policy on actively promoting direct flights, as well as direct postal and trade services across the Straits is consistent. Our efforts and sincerity in this regard are well-known."

He said the mainland will "exert its utmost effort" to do anything so long as it benefits Taiwan compatriots, and is conducive to increased exchanges as well as trade and economic development across the Straits.

Apart from direct cross-Straits charter flights, the need for Taiwan commercial aircraft to fly over the mainland to save time and costs has become urgent after sharp rises in international crude oil prices.

Taipei has banned cross-Straits direct transport since 1949. The island's airlines serving destinations in Europe must make a detour to bypass the mainland.

Bilateral negotiations are needed before Taiwan can decide whether it will offer reciprocal rights to mainland airlines, Hsieh added.

There would also be demands for direct charter flights between Taiwan and the mainland during the upcoming Lunar New Year holidays, Hsieh said. The two sides launched their first non-stop passenger flights during the holidays in February.

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