This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7488965.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Direct China-Taiwan flights begin | Direct China-Taiwan flights begin |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The first regular direct flight from mainland China to Taiwan for nearly 60 years has landed at Taipei's airport. | The first regular direct flight from mainland China to Taiwan for nearly 60 years has landed at Taipei's airport. |
| Since the two sides split in civil war in 1949, travellers have had to fly via a third destination - apart from a few special flights during major holidays. | Since the two sides split in civil war in 1949, travellers have had to fly via a third destination - apart from a few special flights during major holidays. |
| The flight from Guangzhou marks the beginning of regular non-stop direct flights between a number of cities. | The flight from Guangzhou marks the beginning of regular non-stop direct flights between a number of cities. |
| The flights will be on weekends only but are seen as a big step in improved relations between the two sides. | The flights will be on weekends only but are seen as a big step in improved relations between the two sides. |
| Ties between Taipei and Beijing have improved since Taiwan elected a new President, Ma Ying-jeou, in May. | Ties between Taipei and Beijing have improved since Taiwan elected a new President, Ma Ying-jeou, in May. |
| China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and in the past has threatened force to reunite it with the mainland. | China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and in the past has threatened force to reunite it with the mainland. |
| The China Southern Airlines flight, from the southern city of Guangzhou, is the first of 36 flights to be launched this weekend. | The China Southern Airlines flight, from the southern city of Guangzhou, is the first of 36 flights to be launched this weekend. |
| It carried around 250 passengers, including 100 tourists from the mainland, and was met with a traditional lion dance and a water sprinkling ceremony. | It carried around 250 passengers, including 100 tourists from the mainland, and was met with a traditional lion dance and a water sprinkling ceremony. |
| At the same time as the China Southern flight was travelling to Taipei, a Taiwan-based China Airlines flight with Taiwanese tourists was making its way to Shanghai. | At the same time as the China Southern flight was travelling to Taipei, a Taiwan-based China Airlines flight with Taiwanese tourists was making its way to Shanghai. |
| The new flights will connect five major cities in China with eight airports in Taiwan. | The new flights will connect five major cities in China with eight airports in Taiwan. |
| 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 flashpoint | 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 flashpoint |
| The first arrivals are among more than 600 Chinese tourists travelling to Taiwan on week-long package trips. They are all being given the red carpet treatment, with special receptions, dinners and entertainment programmes. | The first arrivals are among more than 600 Chinese tourists travelling to Taiwan on week-long package trips. They are all being given the red carpet treatment, with special receptions, dinners and entertainment programmes. |
| Their numbers are expected to rapidly increase because Beijing has said it will allow up to 3,000 tourists a day to visit Taiwan from 18 July. | Their numbers are expected to rapidly increase because Beijing has said it will allow up to 3,000 tourists a day to visit Taiwan from 18 July. |
| Local businesses are predicting the new arrivals will provide a much-needed economic boost and the government is hoping the direct weekend flights will soon become daily. | Local businesses are predicting the new arrivals will provide a much-needed economic boost and the government is hoping the direct weekend flights will soon become daily. |
| While many Taiwanese are excited by the expected influx of Chinese tourists, others are more wary - citing concerns about rude behaviour, cheap spending habits and the potential for political disputes, says the BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taipei. | While many Taiwanese are excited by the expected influx of Chinese tourists, others are more wary - citing concerns about rude behaviour, cheap spending habits and the potential for political disputes, says the BBC's Caroline Gluck in Taipei. |
| The agreements on flights and tourists were signed by negotiators from Taiwan and China last month. | The agreements on flights and tourists were signed by negotiators from Taiwan and China last month. |
| It followed the election of Taiwan's new President, Ma Ying-jeou, who promised voters to boost the island's economy and push for better ties with China. | It followed the election of Taiwan's new President, Ma Ying-jeou, who promised voters to boost the island's economy and push for better ties with China. |
Were you on the flight? Will you use this service in the future? How important is this for relations between China and Taiwan? Send your comments using the post form below, or text +44 7624 800 100: | |