A Taiwanese delegation arrived in Beijing yesterday to discuss the possibility of direct charter flights between China's mainland and the island during next month's Spring Festival.
John Chang, who heads the group of Kuomintang Party lawmakers and airline representatives, said the group will meet with mainland civil aeronautics officials today. Chang said the Taiwan government has not authorized the visit but would be pressured to accept the results if an agreement is reached.
Chen Yunlin, director of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee, will meet with the group.
Chiu Tai-san, a Taiwanese official in charge of relations with the mainland, expressed optimism on Saturday that the flights were possible.
"Both sides have displayed a high degree of goodwill and sincerity regarding the New Year charter flights," said Chiu, vice chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council.
In 2003, six Taiwanese air carriers flew charter flights to Shanghai and picked up hundreds of Taiwanese returning home for the Chinese New Year. But Taiwan then barred mainland air carriers from traveling to Taiwan, citing "security concerns."
Taiwan recently said mainland carriers could provide charter flights, but it wants the flights to pass through Hong Kong airspace without touching down.