The European Union (EU) has extended applause to the exchange of non-stop flights across the Taiwan Straits over the China Lunar New Year.

In a written statement issued in the name of the EU Presidency Luxembourg, the EU said on Thursday that it "considers that this type of practical cooperation will help to promote dialogue and understanding between the parties and hopes that ways can be found to build upon it."

The statement said the EU attaches indeed great importance to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, which are of utmost importance for the whole region and beyond.

The EU reiterated its adherence to the one-China policy, noting that it also welcomes "any efforts by both sides to lower tensions."

At the end of last month, civil aviation sectors across the Taiwan Straits started a smooth exchange of non-stop, round-trip charter flights linking multiple metropolises in the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, thus breaking a half-century isolation across the Straits.

(CRI.com February 4, 2005)