"As traditional Spring Festival comes in a little more than two months, we should reach agreements on related technical matters as early as possible for transport businesses of both sides so as to make adequate preparations," said Li Weiyi, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The mainland side proposes allowing non-governmental aviation organizations across the Straits to hold early talks pertaining to the opening of passenger and cargo charter flights based on the mode of the previous Spring Festival, namely non-stop charter flights via Hong Kong. Consensus reached in the talks will be implemented synchronously by both sides.

Li acknowledged that the opening of charter flights is a necessity of personnel and economic exchanges across the Taiwan Straits and a desire of people on both sides, especially the Taiwan compatriots.

"We are ready to actively promote anything that is beneficial to Taiwan compatriots and the industrial and commercial communities of Taiwan," Li said.

On the basis of the successful charter flights during the Spring Festival period of 2005, he said, the mainland side proposes expanding the Spring Festival charter flight services of 2006 to the better service of Taiwan compatriots.

The proposed expansion includes allowing passengers from more social and business strata to take the charter flights, adding more destination sites, shortening the flight journey and increasing the number of flights.

"We have made assessments and preparations in this regard. Non-governmental aviation organizations of both sides will confer on these issues and make arrangements accordingly," said Li.

The charter flights allow Taiwan business people and their relatives to travel between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan by shorter and more direct air routes. Previously, they had to stop at a third destination, usually Hong Kong and Macao during their trips.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2005)