The Chinese mainland and Taiwan have signed agreements on cross-Straits weekend chartered flights and mainland tourists traveling to Taiwan. This has opened a new page in mainland-Taiwan relations.

Our reporter Liu Yan has the details.

Reporter:

Sun Yafu is the Vice Chairman of the mainland-based Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait or ARATS.

"We have reached an agreement on the issue of mainland citizens traveling and touring in Taiwan. On July 18, we will officially begin full implementation for mainland tourists traveling to Taiwan. On July 4, chartered flights will begin to operate on weekends for tour groups."

Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation or SEF, signed the agreement with Chen Yun Lin, chairman of ARATS.

Chiang Pin-kung welcomed the long-awaited agreement.

"It's very significant. In the past 15 years, many people contributed to cross-strait relations. Previously, there have been problems in cross-strait relations. But mutual economic dependence has been growing at the same time."

On Friday afternoon, Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Chiang, saying the agreements would be conducive to the exchange between Chinese compatriots across the Straits.

Hu Jintao added that the agreements would contribute to the realization of direct links for mail, trade and transport services between the mainland and Taiwan.

Hu Jintao pointed out that as long as the both sides can build mutual trust, shelve differences and seek common ground, more positive progress will be made in the future.

Chiang agreed that the talks played a significant role in mainland-Taiwan relations, saying cross-Straits relations would see further development through cooperation and mutual benefit.

During the meeting, Chiang also conveyed condolences to the people killed in the May 12th earthquake and said Taiwan hoped to help with reconstruction work in the quake zones.

Liu Yan, CRI news.