China, Taiwan discuss direct flights

BEIJING, June 12 (UPI) -- Visiting officials of Taiwan's new government Thursday opened their historic talks with mainland China on starting direct flights between the two nations.

If the talks succeed, China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, will expand the service to include weekend flights from the current non-direct service allowed only on major holidays. It would also be a major victory for Taiwan's new Kuomintang government led by President Ma Ying-jeou, who came to power in March after campaigning for closer trade ties with China.

The talks in Beijing, the first such in nearly 10 years, are being held between China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation. The two non-governmental entities are the only ones authorized to discuss issues across the Taiwan Strait.

Calling the meeting an "important historical moment," Association Chairman Chen Yunlin noted "positive changes have taken place in cross-Strait relations" since March.

The Taiwanese side is led by Chiang Pin-kun, who said the trip is an opportunity to build mutual trust between the two sides and move them toward a more peaceful co-existence,

Taiwan also wants China to allow more of its citizens to visit the island nation.