Direct China-Taiwan travel agreed

Source: BBC News

The two sides are holding their first formal talks since 1999. China and Taiwan have signed historic agreements to establish regular direct flights and allow more mainland tourists to visit the island. The deal means there will be direct cross-strait flights every weekend, instead of just during holiday periods. The development came at the first formal talks between the two sides for almost 10 years. Ties have been tense for years but have improved rapidly since Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May. In contrast to his independence-leaning predecessor, Mr Ma wants warmer ties with Beijing and says his priority is maintaining regional stability.

Negotiators from Beijing and Taipei have been holding their first formal bilateral talks since 1999 at a state guesthouse in the Chinese capital. On Thursday the two sides agreed to host representative offices, and early on Friday they signed a deal to boost transport and tourism links, in a ceremony broadcast live on Chinese state television.

The weekend passenger flights will begin on 4 July and there will be 36 flights each week, with China and Taiwan operating 18 flights each. Previously direct flights were limited to four holiday periods each year. On other days, cross-strait travellers had to fly via Hong Kong or Macau.
From 18 July, each side will also allow in 3,000 tourists per day - a move that triples the number of mainland Chinese who will be allowed into Taiwan.

The move will be welcomed by Taiwanese businesses. Improving economic links with Beijing was one of Mr Ma's election pledges, and the island anticipates a boost from the influx of tourists.
Better cross-strait ties will also appeal to China in the run-up to the Olympics.
Beijing is very sensitive to international criticism, and its long-standing threat to use force against Taiwan if it move towards independence continues to be a focus for concern, analysts say. China and Taiwan say they hope that this round of negotiations will pave the way for regular dialogue between them. The two sides do not have formal diplomatic ties. China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949.