Cross-strait charter flights will begin on February 5th

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-14-2006 11:13

China has announced that charter flights going between the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan will begin on February fifth. The special flights are for families to get together for the traditional Chinese Spring Festival.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said the Spring Festival charter flights will be conducted in the same way as the past years.

Li Weiyi, spokesman Taiwan Affairs Office, State Council, said, "The 2007 spring festival charter flights between the Mainland and Taiwan will be launched on February 5th. The time span will be between 14 days before and 14 days after the Spring Festival. Chinese Mainland and Taiwan airlines will operate 96 flights in total."

Li also said his office hopes there will eventually be more charter flights departing from more airports on the mainland.

In 2007 -- like this year -- there will be 6 airlines on the mainland and 6 on Taiwan Island taking part. The airports involved are in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xiamen on the mainland, and in Taipei and Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

The special service started in 2003 to allow Taiwan residents living on the mainland to return home for the Chinese lunar new year.

Editor:Du Xiaodan