China and Taiwan sign trade and transport deals
Negotiators for China and Taiwan sign series of agreements improving trade and transport links
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Tuesday, 04, Nov 2008 09:11
Negotiators for China and Taiwan have signed a series of agreements improving trade and transport links, including plans to triple the amount of cross-strait charter flights.
The deals will also allow for direct cargo shipments to be allowed between 11 Taiwan sea ports and 63 in China, as well as improving direct postal links and food safety alerts.
The new agreements were announced today, on the second day of a five-day visit to Taiwan by Chen Yunlin, the head of China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait.
Beijing has continually claimed sovereignty over Taiwan, even though they have been separately governed since 1949.
The current discussions are seen as a direct result of Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou's efforts to improve ties with Beijing and end decades of political rivalry.
Pro-independence activists, however, claim the president is "selling out" Taiwan to China.
The groups claim they will demonstrate outside parliament for three days during the discussions this week.