Source: CCTV.com

12-14-2006 10:39

Beijing has announced that chartered flights between the mainland and Taiwan, for the upcoming Chinese new year. The flights will operatate as from 5th of February.

The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Li Weiyi told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday that the operation of the chartered flights will be conducted in the same way as in previous years.

Next year's chartered flights will be operated for 14 days from February 5th. Airlines on both sides of the Straits will operate 48 round-trip flights respectively, covering Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Taipei and Kaohsiung.

The first chartered flight between the mainland and Taiwan took place in 2003 when the service was started to allow Taiwanese living on the mainland to return home for the Chinese new year.

Li Weiyi said:”We hope those responsible in the aviation industry on both sides of the straits will conduct consultation on the present model of charter flight operation and, based on the operations in previous years, add more flights in more mainland cities and make the service accessible to more passengers in 2007 so as to better serve the need of compatriots on both sides to travel across the straits. “

Referring to the report that 15 travel agencies have received permits from the mainland to organize travel groups to Taiwan, Li said civilian tourism organizations on both sides had already conducted several rounds of negotiation on this issue, however, no final result has been announced.

 

Editor:Lu Yuying