Taiwan compatriots in the Chinese mainland have given warm response to the decision made by the civil aviation associations across the Taiwan Straits to launch charter flights in 2006.

"It's good that the two sides could make the progress in passenger and flight arrangement," said Tiao Wei-Jen, chief representative of the Shanghai office of the Taiwan-based CSC International Holdings.

Tiao said the arrangement on charter flights gave his family one more choice. "I hope Taiwan and the mainland can be more open on the traffic issues, which concerns the benefits of the two sides," said Tiao.

The organizations of the aviation industries across the Taiwan Straits reached a consensus on Friday to renew the chartered flights during the upcoming Spring Festival in 2006, based on the successful operation between the two sides last year.

The flights will be undertaken from Jan. 20 to Feb. 13 of 2006. The destinations on the mainland are Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen, with Xiamen newly added this year, and those in Taiwan remain Taipei and Kaohsiung.

Apart from Taiwan businessmen and their families, Taiwan residents holding legal certificates of shuttling between the island and the mainland will also be allowed to take the flight.

Six airlines from the mainland and six airlines from Taiwan will carry out the flights. Each side will undertake 36-round flights, bringing the total to 72 round trips.

The coastal city of Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, first appeared at the destination list of the charter flight. The city is less than five kilometers from Jinmen. The two places maintain the only direct transportation across the Straits.

"It's what we have longed for a long time," said Wu Jinzhong, head of Xiamen's Taiwanese investment association, which has made great efforts to apply for charter flight in Xiamen, a major "habitat" for Taiwan businessman in the Chinese mainland.

"Our efforts were finally paid off. Not only the Taiwan people in Xiamen, but also those in the neighboring areas can also benefit from the flight," said Wu.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2005)