Regular flights between Taiwan and China may become a reality in about six months, the island’s president Ma Ying-jeou said Tuesday before a group of local business leaders.
He reinforced an agreement reached between the sides during a Taipei visit earlier this month by senior Chinese envoy Chen Yinlin. With charter flights between Taiwanese and Chinese cities already in full swing, the regularly scheduled flights will mark a further improvement in relations between Taipei and Beijing, Ma’s fundamental goal as president.
Predecessor Chen Shui-bian refused to engage with China, in line with his pro-independence stance. Chen left office in May and now faces corruption charges.
China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949.
Margie T Logarta
