China, Taiwan agree on Direct Flights, Shipping, Mail

China and Taiwan will establish direct flights across the Taiwan Strait and agreed on shipping and postal links, following the highest-level talks between the two sides on the island in almost 60 years.

Envoys from the mainland and Taiwan agreed on 108 weekly flights that no longer have to go through Hong Kong airspace. The two sides also agreed to direct shipping links between 63 Chinese ports and 11 Taiwanese ports. The transport links will take effect within 40 days, according to the Web site of Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation.
By boosting ties with China, the island’s biggest trading partner, Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou hopes to revive the economy. Supporters of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party staged a rally in Taipei yesterday evening, protesting against what they call Ma’s sellout of the island’s sovereignty in exchange for economic benefits.
Direct cargo and passenger flights over the Taiwan Strait have been banned since the rift, forcing goods and people to travel via a third port, usually Hong Kong, extending travel time and increasing cost.
A total of 21 mainland Chinese airports will be open to the passenger flights to and from Taiwan, from five, according to the agreements. Taiwan and China will allow 60 cargo flights a month and the two sides also agreed on postal links, to start within 40 days.
Flights between the mainland and Taiwan will no longer have to go via Hong Kong, said Zheng Lizhong, the deputy to China’s top Taiwan envoy, at a separate briefing. Only companies from Taiwan and China can manage the transportation services, according to the agreements.
Direct shipping links can save more than USD 100 million in costs a year, Zheng said.