For six decades, the political standoff between Taiwan, a self-governed democracy, and Beijing, which maintains the island is one of its provinces, has meant no regular flights between Taiwan and mainland China. Travel-weary tech executives visiting factories in China have had to first fly to Hong Kong or Macao, then catch another flight to get to places like Shanghai – almost a daylong journey.
Taiwan airline officials expect air cargo and daily passenger flights to follow in coming months.
The agreement has been a key policy of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, elected in March on a promise of setting a more pragmatic tone with Beijing.
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Regular Taiwan-China flights begin
By John Boudreau and Brandon Bailey
Mercury News
Article Launched: 07/05/2008 01:35:47 AM PDT
ASIA, POINT A TO POINT B: Taiwan and China may technically be enemies, but their business friendship is getting stronger.
On Friday, regular direct weekend flights began between Taiwan and five Chinese cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Guangzhou and Nanjing.
For six decades, the political standoff between Taiwan, a self-governed democracy, and Beijing, which maintains the island is one of its provinces, has meant no regular flights between Taiwan and mainland China. Travel-weary tech executives visiting factories in China have had to first fly to Hong Kong or Macao, then catch another flight to get to places like Shanghai – almost a daylong journey.
Taiwan airline officials expect air cargo and daily passenger flights to follow in coming months.
The agreement has been a key policy of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, elected in March on a promise of setting a more pragmatic tone with Beijing.
Johnsee Lee, president of the Industrial Technology Research Institut, gave an overview of a $130 billion infrastructure project announced by Ma’s administration that includes establishing WiMax across Taiwan, expanding rapid transit and creating more energy efficient technologies, such as electric cars for dense urban areas.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.