A Chinese mainland official said on Wednesday that the aviation sector on the Chinese mainland is willing to consult with Taiwan counterparts on the proposed chartered flights across the straits during the coming Chinese lunar New Year holiday beginning on Jan. 22, 2004.

Commenting on reports that Taiwan authorities are considering two-way flights for Taiwan businesspeople on the mainland, Zhang Mingqing, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the mainland is willing to cooperate if Taiwan authorities meant what they said.

"Our position on direct air links over the Taiwan Straits remains consistent," that cross-strait direction air routes must be "direct, two way and mutually beneficial".

During the Chinese lunar New Year holiday that began on Feb. 1,2003, Taiwan travelers were allowed to purchase a one-way ticket on a chartered plane from the mainland to Taiwan Island, and the passenger plane had to stop in Hong Kong on its way, said the spokesperson.

Zhang said Taiwan businesspeople on the mainland were dissatisfied about the one-way operation, and the mainland airways were barred by Taiwan authorities from carrying Taiwan businesspeople on chartered planes.

"But, on a case-by-case principle, we provided all possible convenience for the one-way chartered flights so as to help Taiwanese businesspeople return home for family reunions."

Zhang said the mainland has long expressed its position that the flights should be "two-way and direct" so that more Taiwanese businesspeople can return to Taiwan.

Taiwan authorities have banned direct air, sea and postal links between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits since 1949.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2003)