China, Taiwan talks on New Year flights

China "will work hard to promote the launching of charter flights across the Taiwan Straits during the...Lunar New Year, and welcomes Taiwan people to come for talks over the issue," the Xinhua News Agency said, citing an unidentified spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
Sunday's report also said he hoped that the charter flights "can be operated by airlines on both sides of the Straits in direct routes," an issue which has been a sticking point in previous discussions.
Direct Taiwan-China air links have been banned since the two sides split during civil war in 1949. While political relations are tense, trade between the two sides has boomed in recent years and Taiwanese tourists and investors flock to the mainland.
The issue is particularly significant in the days leading up to Chinese New Year, when many Taiwan residents want to travel to see relatives on the mainland, and vice versa. This year, the holiday falls on Feb. 9.
While China has allowed holiday charter flights in previous years, travelers have to stop at a third point, usually Hong Kong, where they transfer to a foreign airline.
Last week, Chiu Tai-san, vice chairman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, said the matter could be resolved if only Taiwanese airlines are involved in the flights.
China has in the past refused such talks unless Taiwanese leaders agree that the island is part of China and that the two must eventually unify. But it has said charter flights could be negotiated by airline representatives from both sides without government involvement.
The Beijing spokesman didn't directly address either position but said he hoped Taiwanese leaders would "create conditions for the chartered planes to take off."
He also noted that some Taiwanese airline executives have expressed their willingness to visit the mainland for talks on the charter flights.
"We welcome them to come and are willing to exchange views with them," the spokesman said.