A Chinese mainland official has welcomed Taiwan's efforts to send a delegation to Beijing to discuss the charter flights issue as the Chinese lunar New Year approaches.

Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, Chen Yunlin, says if Taiwan can keep its promises and is willing to remain flexible, air links between the mainland and Taiwan can be realized this year.

Chen Yunlin says the central government has proposed direct, round trip flights on airlines from both sides to different locations on the mainland.

A four-member delegation headed by Tseng Yung-chuan from Taiwan arrived in Beijing Sunday afternoon to discuss the chartered flights.

The air link between the two sides has been a long-standing issue, and became particularly prominent during China's lunar New Year, when many Taiwan residents choose to fly back to see their relatives on the island and vice versa.

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