CHINA: GOVERNMENT AGREES DIRECT CHARTER FLIGHTS WITH TAIWAN DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY

Record ID: 584899

  • Title: CHINA: GOVERNMENT AGREES DIRECT CHARTER FLIGHTS WITH TAIWAN DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAY
  • Date: 11th January 2005
  • Summary: (W2) BEIJING, CHINA (JANUARY 10, 2005) (REUTERS) 1. EXTERIOR OF DIAOYUTAI, VENUE FOR TALKS 0.05 2. CAMERAMEN FILMING 0.09 3. MV TAIWAN AFFAIRS OFFICE MINISTER CHEN YUNLIN MEETING LEGISLATORS FROM TAIWAN, JOHN CHANG AND CHEN YUNLIN SHAKING HANDS 4. MORE OF TWO SIDES SHAKING HANDS 5. MEETING IN PROGRESS 6. TALKS IN PROGRESS/CHINESE SIDE 7. TAIWAN SIDE 8. MORE OF TALKS IN PROGRESS 9. JOHN CHANG 10. DELEGATES FROM TAIWAN SIDE 1.10 12. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) TSENG YUNG-CHUAN, KMT LEGISLATOR, SAYING: "From today, the two sides have started discussions for 2005 Lunar New Year direct charter flights, in other words, we've started talking in this short time. There are three principles we have mentioned which have been agreed upon (the flights will be) in two directions, both ways, Chinese and Taiwan airlines both flying and between multiple points, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Shenzhen and we've agreed that these areas are good, and there is no need for stopovers." 2.09 13. NEWS CONFERENCE 2.14 14. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) JOHN CHANG, TAIWAN KMT LEGISLATOR, SAYING: "When we go back, I will put the Chinese view to Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Committee because there is so little time before the Lunar New Year. The airlines are all feeling a lot of pressure. In addition, Taiwan businessmen have given additional important suggestions. We have come together to share views on the 2005 Spring Festival charter flights. After we officially exchange our views, we will officially begin. We will ask the DPP government to live up to promises it made in the past regarding lunar new year charter flights" 3.00 15. JOURNALISTS 3.05 16. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) CHANG SAYING: "I think the Beijing side also wishes this case can be pushed forward. What we want to say is that we hope that tension between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits can be eased, and not just solve the charter flight question. But one point mentioned by director Chen today is very important. He think the current situation between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits is severe. It is not practical for the delegates by two governments to hold talks." 3.34 17. JOURNALISTS 3.39 18. LEGISLATORS WALKING AWAY AND BEING SURROUNDED BY REPORTERS 3.46 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 26th January 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BEIJING, CHINA
  • Country: China
  • Reuters ID: LVAASURDMYHLCBTJX2V8PT47Y0SW
  • Story Text: China agrees to direct charter flights with Taiwan
    during the Lunar New Year holiday in February, possibly
    the first direct flights in more than 50 years.

    China on Monday (January 10) agreed to a plan for
    flights to and from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen,
    Shenzhen and Taiwan cities, by airlines from both sides,
    following talks with Taiwan opposition legislators in
    Beijing The approval of the Taiwan authorities was still
    needed for the flights to come off, however.

    The agreement came after John Chang, the sole surviving
    grandson of late Nationalist leader Generalissimo Chiang
    Kai-shek, and two other legislators from Taiwan's
    Nationalist Party met officials from China's policy-making
    Taiwan Affairs Office.

    The legislators will meet aviation authorities later on
    Monday.

    Taiwan has banned direct transport links with China
    since Chiang and his Nationalist troops fled to the island
    in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war on the mainland
    to the Communists.

    Beijing and Taipei remain arch foes and China refuses
    to talk directly with the government of Taiwan, which it
    considers a breakaway province being led down the path to
    announcing formal independence by President Chen Shui-bian.

    Despite the diplomatic freeze, business and tourism
    ties between China and Taiwan have blossomed and there are
    about 1 million Taiwan businessmen and their families in
    China.

    During Chinese New Year in 2003, charter flights
    between Shanghai and Taiwan cities were commissioned to
    Taiwan airlines, but they were not allowed to fly directly
    between Taiwan and China and had to make token stops in
    Hong Kong or Macau, lengthening a one-hour flight to about
    four hours.

    The flights were not repeated in 2004 lest they help
    Chen win re-election. Chen won anyway.

    The Lunar New Year holiday begins on Feb. 9.

    If both sides agree to no stopovers, they would also be
    the first direct flights since 1949.


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