Mainland, Taiwan sign agreements on flight safety, taxation

"For example, with the agreements on civil aviation standards, cross-Straits flights do not need to bring their own machinists and spare parts. Instead, they can simply resort to local maintenance, " he explained.

"As the number of cross-Straits tourists by plane increases, flight safety has become an important concern of both sides," said Che Shanglun, board chairman of Xiamen Airlines. "With smoother contact and closer collaboration in both regular operations and emergencies, flights across the Strait will also fly smoother and safer."

During Tuesday's talks, the two sides agreed to continue negotiation on issues such as the agreement of cross-Straits trade in goods under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), arrangements to allow mainland travelers' layovers in Taiwan and the two organizations' setting up offices on each other's side.

Topics also included cooperation in environmental protection and exchanges in education, culture and science and technology fields.

Cross-Straits relations have been developing stably since the last round of talks last year, although there have been some frustrations, Chen said in a speech before the talks.

He said talks between the two organizations constitute an important avenue to promote peaceful development of cross-Straits ties and people's livelihoods.

Agreements signed at previous talks have facilitated exchanges across the Strait and enhanced mutual benefits. "Facts have proved that the negotiations between the mainland and Taiwan have brought benefits to the general public and various sectors on both sides," the ARATS chief said.

Lin said in his speech that the two sides' resolve to promote peace and prosperity across the Strait is unshaken despite some difficulties.

Both sides have called for further talks and development of cross-Straits ties on the basis of the "1992 Consensus".

At Tuesday afternoon's press conference, Zheng expressed hope that the two new agreements will take effect and get implemented as soon as possible.

In response to a question on a previous service trade pact, which was signed by the two sides in 2013 but has yet to be approved in Taiwan, Zheng expressed his disappointment as both sides have made "tremendous efforts" in reaching the agreement and it is supposed to bring benefit to people on both sides especially those in Taiwan.

"We hope that Taiwan would finish relevant procedures for the pact at an earliest possible date," he said.

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