Taiwan's cabinet said it is preparing for the start of regular weekend charter flights across the Taiwan Strait and a major influx of Chinese tourists from early July, as promised on the campaign trail by new President Ma Ying-jeou.

'All preparations have been moving forward on schedule. We are confident... there should be no problem,' said Premier Liu Chao-shiuan following the cabinet's first meeting since the new government took office on Tuesday.

He said the planning process involves eight airports on the island but the final number will depend on demand and the outcome of consultations with China.

Mao Chi-kuo, minister of transportation and communications, said the charter flight and tourism questions will be submitted to Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation and China's Association for Relations across the Taiwan Strait, which are expected to resume negotiations shortly.