Cross-Strait flights increase to 670 per week , China

Flights between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan have increased from 616 to 670 per week, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) announced Monday. The increase in the number of flights was based on an amendment to a supplement agreement on cross-Strait air transportation, which has been acknowledged by the ARATS and the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF). The ARATS and SEF are authorized by the mainland and Taiwan, respectively, to handle cross-Strait affairs. The amendment was drafted by aviation authorities from both the mainland and Taiwan in two meetings held in May and June. The Chinese mainland is currently the largest source of tourists to Taiwan, while the island is the third largest source of visitors to the mainland. Taiwan has seen an increase in mainland tourists in the past five years since an overall ban on traveling to the island was lifted by Taiwanese authorities in July 2008. About 6.2 million mainland tourists have visited Taiwan in the past five years, official statistics show. For decades, mainland travelers had to transfer at overseas airports, often in Hong Kong, in order to reach Taiwan by air. In 2003, the two sides agreed to operate charter flights during the Spring Festival, China's biggest public holiday. Regular direct flights across the Taiwan Strait have been available since July 2008.