China/Taiwan

Historic travel deals signed

Article published on the 2008-06-13 Latest update 2008-06-13 13:26 TU

Chiang Pin-kun, the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) chairman and his Chinese counterpart, Chen Yunlin.
(Photo : Reuters)

China and Taiwan have signed historic agreements that will allow more mainland tourists to visit the island. The deal, signed during the highest-level official contact between the two sides, means there will be direct flights every weekend, instead of just during holiday periods.

The agreement was made on the second day of landmark talks in Beijing aimed at easing decades of tensions.

"The two issues that have been resolved will bring happiness to compatriots on both sides," China's deputy chief negotiator Sun Yafu said afterwards, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Negotiators agreed to establish regular direct flights between China and Taiwan, putting an end to time-consuming forced stopovers in Hong Kong.

They will also triple the number of mainland visitors allowed to travel to Taiwan each day to 3,000.

Relations between the two countries have been tense for years but improved rapidly since Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May.

The signing of the agreements was broadcast live on China's state-run national television broadcast.

Trade and travel links between China and Taiwan have been severely restricted since the two sides split at the end of a civil war in 1949, both declaring themselves the Chinese government.

China's Communist rulers have insisted ever since that Taiwan must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary, and their relationship has been one of the world's most dangerous potential military flashpoints.