China Southern Airlines opened its representative office in Taiwan on Thursday, the first mainland state-owned enterprise that set up a branch across the Taiwan Strait.

The carrier also became the first airline company to hire local employees after it won approval from the Taiwan authority.

"We will have more cooperation with Taiwan's transport businesses and bring more convenience to passengers," China Southern chairman Si Xianmin said.

The carrier currently operates 10 weekly flights from Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen to Taiwan. Since December 15, it has carried more than 14,000 people in 101 regular flights.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2009)