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| Direct China-Taiwan travel agreed | Direct China-Taiwan travel agreed |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| China and Taiwan have signed historic agreements to establish regular direct flights and allow more mainland tourists to visit the island. | China and Taiwan have signed historic agreements to establish regular direct flights and allow more mainland tourists to visit the island. |
| The deal means there will be direct cross-strait flights every weekend, instead of just during holiday periods. | The deal means there will be direct cross-strait flights every weekend, instead of just during holiday periods. |
| The development came at the first formal talks between the two sides for almost 10 years. | The development came at the first formal talks between the two sides for almost 10 years. |
| Ties have been tense for years but have improved rapidly since Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May. | Ties have been tense for years but have improved rapidly since Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May. |
| In contrast to his independence-leaning predecessor, Mr Ma wants warmer ties with Beijing and says his priority is maintaining regional stability. | In contrast to his independence-leaning predecessor, Mr Ma wants warmer ties with Beijing and says his priority is maintaining regional stability. |
| Tourist influx | Tourist influx |
| Negotiators from Beijing and Taipei have been holding their first formal bilateral talks since 1999 at a state guesthouse in the Chinese capital. | Negotiators from Beijing and Taipei have been holding their first formal bilateral talks since 1999 at a state guesthouse in the Chinese capital. |
| On Thursday the two sides agreed to host permanent representative offices, and early on Friday they signed a deal to boost transport and tourism links, in a ceremony broadcast live on Chinese state television. TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS Ruled by separate governments since end of Chinese civil war in 1949 China considers the island part of its territoryChina has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong KongMost people in Taiwan support status quo Taiwan flashpointMedia praise for talks | On Thursday the two sides agreed to host permanent representative offices, and early on Friday they signed a deal to boost transport and tourism links, in a ceremony broadcast live on Chinese state television. TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS Ruled by separate governments since end of Chinese civil war in 1949 China considers the island part of its territoryChina has offered a "one country, two systems" solution, like Hong KongMost people in Taiwan support status quo Taiwan flashpointMedia praise for talks |
| The weekend passenger flights will begin on 4 July and there will be 36 flights each week, with China and Taiwan operating 18 flights each. | The weekend passenger flights will begin on 4 July and there will be 36 flights each week, with China and Taiwan operating 18 flights each. |
| Previously direct flights were limited to four holiday periods each year. On other days, cross-strait travellers had to fly via Hong Kong or Macau. | Previously direct flights were limited to four holiday periods each year. On other days, cross-strait travellers had to fly via Hong Kong or Macau. |
| From 18 July, each side will also allow in 3,000 tourists per day - a move that triples the number of mainland Chinese who will be allowed into Taiwan. | From 18 July, each side will also allow in 3,000 tourists per day - a move that triples the number of mainland Chinese who will be allowed into Taiwan. |
| The move will be welcomed by Taiwanese businesses. | The move will be welcomed by Taiwanese businesses. |
| Improving economic links with Beijing was one of Mr Ma's election pledges, and the island anticipates a boost from the influx of tourists. | Improving economic links with Beijing was one of Mr Ma's election pledges, and the island anticipates a boost from the influx of tourists. |
| Better cross-strait ties will also appeal to China in the run-up to the Olympics. | Better cross-strait ties will also appeal to China in the run-up to the Olympics. |
| China has attracted huge Taiwanese investment, and about half a million Taiwanese businessmen and their families live in the Shanghai area alone. | China has attracted huge Taiwanese investment, and about half a million Taiwanese businessmen and their families live in the Shanghai area alone. |
| Beijing hopes direct communications will strengthen economic ties even further and make the Taiwan Strait much less of a flashpoint to worry about, says the BBC's China editor Shirong Chen. | Beijing hopes direct communications will strengthen economic ties even further and make the Taiwan Strait much less of a flashpoint to worry about, says the BBC's China editor Shirong Chen. |
| Both sides say they hope that this round of negotiations will pave the way for regular dialogue. | Both sides say they hope that this round of negotiations will pave the way for regular dialogue. |
| 'Long way to go' | 'Long way to go' |
| China's top negotiator, Chen Yunlin, says he has accepted an invitation to visit Taiwan later this year and his Taiwanese counterpart, Chiang Ping-kun, said that there would be lots to talk about. | China's top negotiator, Chen Yunlin, says he has accepted an invitation to visit Taiwan later this year and his Taiwanese counterpart, Chiang Ping-kun, said that there would be lots to talk about. |
| "There is still a long way to go for normalisation of cross-strait economic and trade exchange," he said. | "There is still a long way to go for normalisation of cross-strait economic and trade exchange," he said. |
| "There are still many issues to be discussed including expanding weekend charter flights into regular charter flights." | "There are still many issues to be discussed including expanding weekend charter flights into regular charter flights." |
| And while economic ties may be on the up, on political issues the two sides remain apart. | And while economic ties may be on the up, on political issues the two sides remain apart. |
| China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949, and continues to deny it recognition in the international arena. | China says that Taiwan is part of its territory, although the two have been separately governed since 1949, and continues to deny it recognition in the international arena. |
| Are you in the region? Do you welcome the agreement? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below. | |