Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou has unveiled his timetable for direct transport and tourist links with the mainland by July 1.
In a meeting with a group of hi-tech business representatives in Taipei yesterday, the popular KMT politician said, if elected, he would make sure that direct weekend charter flights would be launched before July 1, and that regular direct flights would be possible before June next year.
'We would actively hold talks with the mainland side right after the presidential inauguration on May 20,' explained Mr Ma, who is running for president in the March 22 election against the Democratic Progressive Party candidate, Frank Hsieh Chang-ting.
Under his timetable, cross-strait charters would be operated on weekends before July 1 and on a daily basis by the end of this year before the launching of regular flights by the end of next year.
The opening of seven airports - including those in Taipei, Taoyuan in the north, Taichung in central Taiwan, Kaohsiung in the south and Hualien in the east - for direct flights would accompany the liberalisation of services.
The candidate of the mainland-conciliatory KMT said he would also open seven ports - including Keelung, Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien - for direct shipping across the Taiwan Strait after the inauguration in May. The plan was applauded by Taiwanese airlines and businessmen, who have long demanded that the government remove its ban on direct transport and other links with the mainland.