Mon, Dec 15, 2008
First Time Since 1949 Communist Revolution
It's a small victory for freedom... or, at least, capitalism. On
Sunday, a China Southern Airlines B737 touched down at Taipei
Songshan Airport in Taiwan, marking the first time a scheduled
airline flight has operated between mainland China and the
'renegade province' in nearly 60 years.
The flight from Shenzhen, China landed at around 8:00 pm EST
Sunday, with the turnaround departing from the Taipei airport at
8:00 am Monday morning, according to Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics
Administration.
CNN reports plans are underway to launch as many as 16 daily
flights to or from Taiwan. Sunday's historic flight coincided with
similar ceremonies at seaports in both China and Taiwan, and mark a
general easing of commercial restrictions between the two
governments. Charter flights began in July.
Formally known as the Republic of China, Taiwan cut ties with
mainland China in 1949 after Communists seized victory in that
country's civil war. Members of the ousted Nationalist party fled
to the island of Taiwan, and established a government there.
To this day, the mainland People's Republic of China maintains
it has authority over Taiwan, and tensions between the two entities
have surged and ebbed constantly since. Communist China considers
Taiwan a renegade province, and has threatened military action if
Taiwan ever formally declares its independence from the
mainland.
Since his election in March 2008, Taiwanese President Ma
Ying-jeou has reached out to Chinese authorities, touting the
economic benefits for both sides in less-restrictive trade
practices. Ma opposes reunification, however.
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