A CHARTER DEAL FOR TAIWAN AND CHINA
Edward Yong
The New York Times, June 13, 2008
BEIJING — Representatives of China and Taiwan agreed Friday to start weekend charter flights next month between the two sides, taking the first step toward establishing regular transportation links that could ease relations.
The representatives also agreed Thursday to establish permanent offices in each other’s capitals to help coordinate discussions about closer relations.
The offices could reduce the chances of misunderstanding if tensions were to arise over issues like military maneuvers.
The agreements came during negotiations over how to strengthen the economic relationship between China and Taiwan, which the government in Beijing regards as a renegade province. The meetings began Thursday and are taking place between so-called unofficial negotiating bodies. They are the highest-level talks between China and Taiwan since 1999.
Representing Taiwan is the Straits Exchange Foundation, which sent a 19-member delegation here.
The charter flights between China and Taiwan, a thriving democracy of 23 million people off the coast of Fujian Province, would allow more mainland tourists to visit Taiwan each year and promote business travel. Although Taiwan is the biggest investor in China and many Taiwanese businesspeople live on the mainland, there are no direct commercial flights. Charter flights are limited to four holiday periods a year, for a total of 324 annual flights.
President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan has said he would also like to begin regular commercial service by 2009.
Edward Yong
The New York Times, June 13, 2008
BEIJING — Representatives of China and Taiwan agreed Friday to start weekend charter flights next month between the two sides, taking the first step toward establishing regular transportation links that could ease relations.
The representatives also agreed Thursday to establish permanent offices in each other’s capitals to help coordinate discussions about closer relations.
The offices could reduce the chances of misunderstanding if tensions were to arise over issues like military maneuvers.
The agreements came during negotiations over how to strengthen the economic relationship between China and Taiwan, which the government in Beijing regards as a renegade province. The meetings began Thursday and are taking place between so-called unofficial negotiating bodies. They are the highest-level talks between China and Taiwan since 1999.
Representing Taiwan is the Straits Exchange Foundation, which sent a 19-member delegation here.
The charter flights between China and Taiwan, a thriving democracy of 23 million people off the coast of Fujian Province, would allow more mainland tourists to visit Taiwan each year and promote business travel. Although Taiwan is the biggest investor in China and many Taiwanese businesspeople live on the mainland, there are no direct commercial flights. Charter flights are limited to four holiday periods a year, for a total of 324 annual flights.
President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan has said he would also like to begin regular commercial service by 2009.
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