The Taichung-Xiamen tour
group holds a press
conference

The first central Taiwan tour
group to Xiamen arrives at
Taichung's Ching Chuan Kang
Airport, ready to take off to
mainland China.

The Central Taiwan tour group
arrives at Xiamen's (XMN)
International Airport on the
first flight.

Mayor Hu arrives safely in
Xiamen.

Xiamen Airline flight attendants
welcome the first Central
Taiwan tour group.

A student from Xiamen
Elementary School presents
flowers to the special guests
from the Central Taiwan
touring group.

Mayor Hu gives a speech
about "Creating a City Filled
with Culture" at Xiamen
University.

The first Central Taiwan
touring group to Xiamen
returned to Taichung's Ching
Chuan Kang Airport and held
a press conference.

Building a Brighter Future: The First Flight from Taichung to Xiamen

Words by Chen Yu, Lin Bi-fen and Ren Shu-hui
Photos by Taichung City Government
Translated by Jerry Chiang & Ann Lee

9 a.m. on July 4 marked a historic moment in modern history as the first direct flight from Taiwan to China took off and headed
towards Xiamen. "This is a moment worth celebrating," Taichung Mayor Jason Hu said. "Now that we have the first direct
cross-strait flights, tourists from China, Hong Kong, and Macao will come to Central Taiwan and help stimulate the economy."

Thanks all around
For helping organize the flights, Mayor Hu thanked Premier Liu Chao-shiuan and Interior Minister Liao Liao-yi especially, saying, "This is the result of a combined effort that created a stronger consensus between city governments."

Taichung County Magistrate Huang Chung-sheng explained how much effort went into coordinating the flights and the Changhua County Magistrate Cho Po-yuan concurred. The Nantou County vice magistrate also made nice remarks on behalf of County Magistrate Lee. "As long as Ching Chuan Kang Airport is up and running at its full capacity, there will be plenty of tourists in Sun Moon Lake," he said. "We are greatly honored be a part of this historical moment."
Mayor Hu in Xiamen

After almost two hours of flight, the first cross-strait flight touched down in Xiamen (XMN) International Airport without incident. Travelers were welcomed by Xiamen City Government Deputy Chairmain Chen Mao-xiu. Mayor Hu noted the flights were "just a beginning" and that ties between the two places were going to get "even stronger".

During the welcome party, Hu offered three reasons for celebrating this moment. First, was the significance of the unprecedented breakthrough in cross-strait relations. Second, on a lighter note, he was glad that none of the students from Xiamen Elementary School called him "Grandpa Hu" or "Uncle Hu". Third, he noted that this initial step toward making history between Taichung and Xiamen took nearly 60 years, but was finally accomplished. "Finally, the four heads of the central Taiwan governments are able to visit Xiamen," Hu said happily.

When someone asked Hu what he would like to see in Xiamen he responded "the people", and then went on to explain the similarities between Taiwanese and Xiamen languages, culture and even cuisine. He went on to add that mutual understanding between Taiwan, Xiamen and Fukien must be further solidified to establish a win-win situation for both Taiwan and China. "Tomorrow will be a fresh new start," Hu said. "Both sides must strive for a better partnership in economic issues."

On his second day, the mayor was invited to the University of Xiamen for a speech on the topic of "City Development with an Emphasis on Culture". Using his humorous lecture style, he shared his experience in urban development, which won him lots of applause from the audience.

Hu's international policy transforms Taichung
From the beginning, the central policies of Mayor Hu's administration have been culture, economy and thinking internationally. He's extremely proud of his accomplishments since 2002, which have virtually transformed Taichung from a stagnant place to an international city full of culture and tradition. Throughout this transformation, Taichung has kept her original spirit, without losing its friendliness and warm-heartedness, which Hu has always considered Taichung's greatest asset.

And there certainly have been some significant changes in the past years, as the cityscape now looks quite different. New buildings include the 46-floor building at Taichung People's Park, the Taichung Industrial Park, which cost NT$50 billion to build, new rows of modern factories with new designs, and the most beautiful international baseball stadium in the East, to name a few. Hu joked that if students from Xiamen University ever needed a place to hit some baseballs, they could use the baseball stadium free no charge. Another new project, built on what used to be a parking lot, is the Wenxin Amphitheater. This 10,000-seat theater sat more than four-million people at cultural events last year.

Cross-Strait tourism
The first tour group from Taiwan to Xiamen visited several places in Xiamen, including: Xiamen Haicang Port, Dongdu Cruise Center, Xiajin Passenger Transportation Port, Nanputuo Temple, HuanDao Road, the Olympic Museum, Xiang-An Fire Enterprise, Ji-Mei Sea Tortoise Park, Yuanboyuan, and Gulang Island.

The tour group also got to spend some time at the Xiamen-Hong Kong Tourism & Trade Center, Xiamen Taiwan Merchants Association, and Hong Kong-Xiamen Friendship Union, and chat with Xiamen's mayor. In this exchange, the mayors talked about trade and cultural activities. The entire journey was a success.

Taichung Mayor Jason Hu, Taichung County Magistrate Huang Chung-sheng, Changhua County Magistrate Chao Po-yuan, and Nantou County Deputy Magistrate Chen Chih-ching participated in the four-day, three-night tour, which came to an end as they returned to Taichung's Ching Chuan Kang Airport on a positive note, seeking to create harmony with Xiamen.

Mayor Hu noted that these flights would attract more attention, not only for Central Taiwan, but also for the entire island. As far as economic potential goes, forming a triangle with Xiamen and Hong Kong will now be even easier for Taiwan. After this direct contact, a platform of communication will soon be established for more practical talks in the near future.