Taiwan expects talks with Beijing over daily flights

Taiwan’s top negotiator with Beijing expects a new round of talks between the two sides within the next two months aimed at introducing daily cross-Strait flights, the Wall Street Journal reported. Chiang Pin-Kung, chairman of Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation, said he thought the establishment of direct ocean-shipping links between China and the mainland and the launch of charter flights for cargo would also be on the agenda. Direct links currently stretch to weekend charter flights, which began in July. Chiang’s remarks suggest that Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou is committed to expanding ties despite seeing his approval ratings slump since taking office in May. His decline in popularity has been tied to growing unease within Taiwan about Ma’s stance toward Beijing. Chiang added that in the future, negotiators will meet once every six months in order to push forward with new bilateral agreements.