Source: CCTV.com

07-04-2008 14:58

Friday marks an historic step in cross-Straits relations. Mainland tourists are now able to travel to Taiwan and the very first tour groups have set off from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and Xiamen.

Friday marks an historic step in cross-Straits relations. Mainland tourists are now able to travel to Taiwan.

At the Beijing International Airport, a ceremony was held to mark the official start of the arrangement for weekend cross-Straits chartered flights and the activation of mainland residents' travelling to Taiwan. At the ceremony, Director of the CPC Taiwan Work Office, Wang Yi, said authorities on both sides of the Straits had worked very hard for the day adding that the start of weekend chartered flights reflect a significant development in cross-Straits ties. He said that with this auspicious beginning, mainland travel to Taiwan will become more convenient and enjoyable.

Civil aviation authorities on both sides all believe the weekend chartered flights have ushered in many opportunities to speed up the development of cross-Straits air links. After the ceremony, Beijing's tourist group boarded CA-185. The flight is expected to arrive in Taipei at 1 p.m. Beijing Time.

36 return flights have been arranged to operate cross-Straits chartered flights, from Friday to Monday. Airlines on both sides will share the operation. At the initial stage, no more than 3,000 mainland tourists are allowed to enter Taiwan every day, in tour groups of 10 to 40 members. And they are permitted to stay in Taiwan for a maximum of ten days.