Chinese tourists head to Taiwan on landmark trip
Mainland Chinese tourists flew out for Taiwan early today on the first regular direct service in decades.
By Agencies |
BEIJING: Mainland Chinese tourists flew out for Taiwan early today on the first regular direct service in decades, a milestone that is part of a dramatic recent thawing in ties between the long-time rivals.
The direct flights were a key component of a campaign promise made by new Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou to quickly improve relations with Beijing, which remain rocky since the two sides split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.
The first flight, operated by China Southern Airlines, left the southern city of Guangzhou at 6.31 am (local time), China's state Xinhua news agency reported.
More than 100 mainland tourists were aboard the Airbus A330 flight, which was carrying a total of 258 passengers and was due to arrive at Taoyuan international airport outside Taipei at 8:10 am, the report added.
"I have been expecting to visit Taiwan, the Treasure Island, and my dream will finally come true today," Chinese tourist Shi Anwei was quoted as saying.
"I was too excited to sleep last night." Taiwanese authorities plan to roll out the red carpet for the mainland holidaymakers, with a traditional lion dance and a "water sprinkling ceremony" to greet the visitors, followed by a lavish gala banquet.
More than 700 Chinese nationals will travel today to the self-ruled island from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and two other cities. Taiwanese travellers will also leave several airports for the mainland.
The direct flights were a key component of a campaign promise made by new Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou to quickly improve relations with Beijing, which remain rocky since the two sides split in 1949 at the end of a civil war.
The first flight, operated by China Southern Airlines, left the southern city of Guangzhou at 6.31 am (local time), China's state Xinhua news agency reported.
More than 100 mainland tourists were aboard the Airbus A330 flight, which was carrying a total of 258 passengers and was due to arrive at Taoyuan international airport outside Taipei at 8:10 am, the report added.
"I have been expecting to visit Taiwan, the Treasure Island, and my dream will finally come true today," Chinese tourist Shi Anwei was quoted as saying.
"I was too excited to sleep last night." Taiwanese authorities plan to roll out the red carpet for the mainland holidaymakers, with a traditional lion dance and a "water sprinkling ceremony" to greet the visitors, followed by a lavish gala banquet.
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More than 700 Chinese nationals will travel today to the self-ruled island from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and two other cities. Taiwanese travellers will also leave several airports for the mainland.
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