A ceremony was held at the Beijing International Airport to mark the official start of the weekend cross-Straits chartered flights arrangement and the activation of the mainland residents' travelling to Taiwan.

At the ceremony, Director of the CPC Taiwan Work Office, Wang Yi, said authorities on both sides of the Straits had worked very hard for the day. With the implementation of the weekend chartered flights, the development of cross-Straits ties have entered into a new stage.

Director of the CPC Taiwan Work Office, Wang Yi, said authorities on both sides of the Straits had worked very hard for the day.

He said that with the good beginning, mainland tourists' travel to Taiwan will become more convenient and enjoyable. Civil aviation authorities on both sides all believe the weekend chartered flights have ushered in golden opportunities to speed up the development of the cross-Straits air links.

After the ceremony, Beijing's tourist group boarded CA-185. The flight is expected to arrive in Taipei at 1 p.m. Beijing Time.