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XP
Joined: 19 Mar 2007
Posts: 565
Location: Beautiful Island
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 Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject: Landmark in Cross Straits Chinese Relations |
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Another landmark development that will boost cross straits relations, bridge the political/economic/social divide and bring the two sides of the Taiwan straits closer. It's mutually beneficial for mainland Chinese nationals to find out more about Taiwan for themselves while tourism would help to stimulate Taiwan's sluggish economy.
| Quote: | Mainland Chinese tourists flew out for Taiwan early Friday on the first regular direct service in decades, a milestone that is part of a dramatic recent thawing in ties between the long-time rivals.
The direct flights were a key component of a campaign promise made by new Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou to quickly improve relations with Beijing, which remain rocky since the two sides split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.
Taiwanese authorities plan to roll out the red carpet for the mainland holidaymakers, with a traditional lion dance and a "water sprinkling ceremony" to greet the visitors, followed by a lavish gala banquet.
More than 700 Chinese nationals will travel will depart from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and two other cities. Taiwanese travellers will also leave several airports for the mainland.
Taiwan banned direct trade and transport links following its split from the communist mainland, but Ma's election in March opened the door to warmer ties after a frosty period under his pro-independence predecessor Chen Shui-bian.
The two sides held their first direct talks in a decade last month, which led to the flights agreement, putting an end to the time-consuming stopovers travellers were forced to make for years in Hong Kong or elsewhere.
There will be a total of 36 round-trip flights across the Taiwan Strait weekly, operating from Friday to Monday.
The deal will increase the number of tourists making the trip from both sides to 3,000 -- which is expected to give a much-needed boost to Taiwan's sluggish economy.
Taiwan banks can now exchange Chinese currency, limits on Taiwanese investment on the mainland have been eased, and some Chinese media outlets which had been banned on the island now have clearance to work. |
- Extracts from AFP report
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