Taiwan and China reach deal on charter flights
Taiwan and China today agreed to launch direct charter passenger flights during major holidays of the year, a major development between the rivals who split amid civil war five decades ago.
Joseph Wu, chairman of Taiwan’s Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council, said the flights would be launched for four annual holidays: Lunar Chinese New Year, Tomb Sweeping Day, the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid Autumn Festival.
China’s official Xinhua News Agency ran a brief news story confirming that China had agreed to the flights.
Taiwanese and Chinese representatives have also reached a “tentative consensus” on launching regular cargo charter flights but have yet to agree on details, Wu said.
Taiwan has held talks with China on the flights over the past year through private airline representatives.
