More than 700 Taiwan compatriots, who had been affected by the earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province, flew home from Chongqing and Chengdu cities on Friday evening and early Saturday morning.

Four chartered planes provided by Taiwan airlines took them to Taibei to reunion with their families and friends. Some of them expressed thanks to the Chinese mainland authorities for evacuating them from quake-hit areas and treating them with warm hospitality.

According to Taiwan media, 165 Taiwan passengers flew back from Chongqing on Friday evening, 93 from Chengdu in early Saturday morning, then another 284 from Chongqing and 180 from Chengdu at 6:00 a.m. Saturday.

Taiwan civil aviation departments expressed thanks to the mainland civil aviation administration for the prompt approval of chartered flights and for waiver of all business fees.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2008)