On the basis of direct flights between the two cities, which will begin next July 4, the politicians of Taiwan and Shanghai are planning long-term cooperation. Presence of the island of World Expo 2010 under study.

Taipei (AsiaNews) - The mayor of Taipei, Hau Lung-bin, has asked for the unification of Shanghai and Taipei in an "economic circle", thanks to the launch of direct flights between the two cities.  According to the politician, "in this way, it will be possible to create a direct channel between the industries of the Yangtze delta (which includes more than 100 million people) and the Pacific region, with a two-hour flight".

During a meeting attended by the vice mayor of the Chinese metropolis, Tang Denjie, Hau said: "Taipei is the centre of Taiwan, and Shanghai is the mainland's centre. The two-hour economic zone will make the two places a centre of the Asia-Pacific region".  Tang was enthusiastic, saying: "There are 300,000 Taiwanese businessmen in Shanghai. It will be a boost to their business if Taipei is within reach in two hours".

The direct flights will begin on July 4.  Each side of the Strait will complete 18 routes each weekend. China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines will leave from Taiwan to Pudong, the commercial island that rises in front of the Bund in Shanghai.  Moreover, a new airport is scheduled to be constructed in Taipei, and the international airport of Taoyuan will be expanded.

During the meeting, the two also discussed the possibility of including Taiwan among the nations invited for the World Expo to be held in Shanghai in 2010.  It would be the first public appearance of the island on the international scene since the United Nations withdrew its recognition from Taipei, granting it instead to Beijing.

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