Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Taiwan-China direct flights likely in 6 months

Taiwan-China direct flights likely in 6 months (NSI News Source Info) TAIPEI, Taiwan - November 18, 2008: Taiwan will probably start regular direct flights to rival China in about six months, the island's President Ma Ying-jeou said Tuesday. Ma's comments, which came in a speech to a business group in Taipei, echo an agreement reached between the sides during a Taipei visit earlier this month by senior Chinese envoy Chen Yinlin. With charter flights between Taiwanese and Chinese cities already in operation, the regularly scheduled flights would mark a further improvement in relations between Taipei and Beijing, Ma's fundamental goal as president. Predecessor Chen Shui-bian kept China at arm's length, in line with his pro-independence views. Chen left office in May. China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949. Beijing continues to regard the democratic island of 23 million people as part of its territory, to be united by persuasion if possible, by force if necessary. Despite Ma's announcement, Taiwan's two biggest air carriers suffered big losses in Tuesday trading on the local stock market.No. 1 China Airlines fell 4.54 percent to New Taiwan dollars 7.36, while No. 2 Eva Airways dropped 5 percent to NT$7.41.

No comments: