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First Taiwan-Mainland direct cargo flight lands in Shanghai

Zhong Chuntian, captain of the first direct cargo charter flight from Taiwan to mainland is interviewed by press in Pudong International Airport of Shanghai, east China, July 20, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    SHANGHAI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The first direct cargo charter flight from Taiwan touched down in Shanghai early Thursday morning, marking a breakthrough in cross-Strait relations since 1949.

    A Boeing 747-400 from China Airlines, Taiwan's largest air carrier, landed in Pudong International Airport at 0:33 a.m. Thursday after just over two hours and 10 minutes, bringing 61 tons of chip equipment to a factory established by a Taiwan company.

    "The non-stop cargo flight is a step forward in connections between Taiwan and the mainland," said Chen Luyi, vice president with Shanghai-based Taiwanese Businessmen Association.

Crew members pose for photographs with the Boeing 747-400 from China Airlines, Taiwan's largest air carrier, which lands in Pudong International Airport of Shanghai, east China, July 20, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    A brief welcoming ceremony was held at the Pudong airport, with a banner reading "warmly welcome the first cargo flight of China Airlines".

    More than 30 domestic and foreign reporters were gathering at the airport to record the historical moment.

    The CI 6901 chartered flight departed Taipei at around 22:20 p.m. Wednesday.

    Four more chartered flights will continue to ship equipment for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd (TSMC) to build its 8-inch chip plant in this eastern Chinese metropolis.

    The last plane is scheduled to arrive here on August 10. full story>>