BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- A Chinese mainland official welcomed Taiwan's efforts of sending a delegation here to discuss the charter flights issue as the Chinese lunar new year approaches,according to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

    "If Taiwan can keep its words and is willing to take flexible measures," said Chen Yunlin, director of the office, "The mainland-Taiwan air links this year can be definitely attainable."

    The air link between the two sides has been a long-standing issue, and it becomes particularly prominent during China's lunar new year, when many Taiwan residents choose to fly back to see their relatives on the island, and vice versa.

    "We propose direct, round trip flights between the two sides with mutual participation, and the flights can ply several places in China's mainland," said Chen.

    The Taiwan authorities agreed to the indirect charter flights in 2003's Spring Festival on certain conditions: only Taiwanese airlines could operate the charter flights; the flights have to fly the routes by landing in a third place and the flight should be only one way, no passengers should be carried on the trip back.

    China's mainland holds that the issue should be based on non-government cooperation and air companies of both sides could discuss detailed issues in a practical manner, Chen said.

    A four-member delegation headed by Tseng Yung-chuan from Taiwanarrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon for discussion of chartered flights. The delegation said at the airport that they received calls from Taiwan businessmen and their relatives, asking them to make efforts for the operation of charted flights on the festive occasion for family reunion. Enditem