Economy

Mainland, Taiwan open new air route

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-15 11:34

A ceremony is held to mark opening of a new direct flight service between Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai and Taipei's Songshan Airport, at the Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai Monday, June 14, 2010. [Xinhua]

Thanks to the new route, cross-Straits travel will be easier and more comfortable, which will attract more mainland tourists to Taipei, said Tsai Chin-lung, a local legislator also on the first flight.

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"We hope the people from the two cities will become more familiar with each other with the new flight route, strengthening cross-Strait ties. It will also boost East Asia's development if Taipei, Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul are closer."

In a meeting with the delegation headed by Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin, Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng said the new direct flight was an important outcome of the two cities' forum held in April.

Han told the visiting delegation that display of Taipei in the ongoing Shanghai World Expo has been very successful and attracted a lot of visitors by conveying environment-friendly and informatization ideas.

Hau said the new direct flight would not only bring the two cities closer, but also shorten the distance among hearts of the people of the two cities.

Hau said that cultural exchanges could break various obstacles and Taipei Cultural Week for the expo will present visitors performances featuring both traditional Chinese culture and innovative elements.