Taiwan and China to triple direct flights
Posted: 04 November 2008 0104 hrs

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TAIPEI: Taiwan and China reached agreement on Monday on tripling direct passenger flights to 108 per week and expanding services to 21 more Chinese cities, officials said.

The agreement was reached during preparatory talks ahead of formal discussions slated for Tuesday aimed at moving the two formerly bitter rivals closer economically, Taiwanese negotiator Kao Kung-lian said.

"The agreement will become effective within 40 days after it is signed" on Tuesday afternoon between China's top negotiator with Taiwan, Chen Yunlin, and his local counterpart Chiang Pin-kung, Kao told reporters on Monday.

The two sides in June agreed to operate 36 flights across the Taiwan Strait each weekend, connecting the island with five mainland cities.

Up to three carriers from each side will also be allowed to provide 60 round-trip cargo flights per month, Kao said.

This week's meetings aim to build on the talks held in Beijing in June, the first direct dialogue between the two sides after a 10-year gap. - AFP/de