Chinese mainland authorities yesterday urged early talks on technical issues to open charter flights across the Taiwan Strait for the forthcoming Spring Festival.
Direct passenger and cargo flights are eagerly sought by residents and business people on both sides of the strait.
"As traditional Spring Festival comes in a little more than two months, we should reach agreements on technical matters as early as possible for transport businesses on both sides so as to make adequate preparations," said Li Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
The mainland proposes allowing non-governmental aviation organizations across the strait to hold early talks on the opening of passenger and cargo charter flights based on the model of the previous Spring Festival. Nonstop flights via Hong Kong were allowed. These new flights, if agreed upon, would be direct.
A consensus, if reached by both sides, will be implemented simultaneously.
Li acknowledged that the opening of charter flights is necessary for personnel and economic exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, and is desired by people on both sides, especially the Taiwan compatriots.
"We are ready to actively promote anything that is beneficial to Taiwan compatriots and the industrial and commercial communities of Taiwan," Li said.
On the basis of the charter flights during the 2005 Spring Festival, he said, the mainland side proposes an expansion of the service in 2006 to better serve Taiwan compatriots.
It would allow passengers from more social and business strata to take the charter flights, add more destinations, shorten the flight time and increase the number of flights.
"We have made assessments and preparations in this regard. Non-governmental aviation organizations of both sides will confer on these issues and make arrangements accordingly," said Li.
The charter flights allow Taiwan business people and relatives to travel between the mainland and Taiwan by shorter and more direct air routes. Previously, they had to stop at a third destination, usually Hong Kong.
Li said an expressway network linking Beijing and Taipei needs at least three to four decades, or even longer, to build.
"When drafting the national expressway network, the mainland once proposed linking Beijing and Taipei," Li said.
(Xinhua)