Taiwan flight ban reconsidered

Beijing has called for talks to end the five-decade ban on direct air links with Taiwan, the South China Morning Post reported, but drew the line at talking to Taipei directly. Travelers must currently fly via Honk Kong or Macau, except during Lunar New Year when direct flights are permitted. "We have repeatedly urged talks with Taiwanese [aviation] counterparts on year-round charters, showing the mainland's sincerity and goodwill on the issue," the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Li Weiyi said Tuesday.