Talks needed for cross-Strait festival flights (Xinhua) Updated: 2005-11-16 15:34
Beijing Wednesday called for holding talks as early as possible on the
technical matters of opening charter flights across the Taiwan Strait during the
upcoming Spring Festival period of 2006.
"As traditional Spring Festival comes in a little more than two months, we
should reach agreements on related technical matters as early as possible for
transport businesses of both sides so as to make adequate preparations," said Li
Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
The mainland side proposes allowing non-governmental aviation organizations
across the strait to hold early talks pertaining to the opening of passenger and
cargo charter flights based on the mode of the previous Spring Festival, namely
non-stop charter flights via Hong Kong. Consensus reached in the talks will be
implemented synchronously by both sides.
Li acknowledged that the opening of charter flights is a necessity of
personnel and economic exchanges across the Taiwan Strait and a desire of 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 successful charter flights during the Spring Festival
period of 2005, he said, the mainland side proposes expanding the Spring
Festival charter flight services of 2006 to the better service of Taiwan
compatriots.
The proposed expansion includes allowing passengers from more social and
business strata to take the charter flights, adding more destination sites,
shortening the flight journey and increasing 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 their relatives to
travel between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan by shorter and more direct air
routes. Previously, they had to stop at a third destination, usually Hong Kong
and Macao during their trips.
|