On Oct. 31, Taiwan and Japan entered a new era of bilateral cooperation and exchanges following the commencement of direct flights between Taipei Songshan Airport and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. This service, which resumed after a three decade-plus hiatus, represents the ROC government’s unyielding commitment to promoting balanced external relations with its diplomatic allies and partners around the world.
Agreed to by both nations in December 2009, the decision to reopen the route sees Taiwan’s China Airlines, EVA Airways, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines expected to carry 1,000 passengers on 16 daily flights per week. This spells good news for the airline and tourism industries of both sides, with the number of travelers between the two nations now expected to reach 2.5 million this year and 3 million in 2011.
This healthy state of affairs is part of the government’s plan to integrate Taiwan into the most important flight route network in East Asia. Once negotiations linking Songshan with Seoul’s Gimpo International Airport are finalized, Taipei City will be at the center of a dynamic aviation hub that extends to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
ROC President Ma Ying-jeou sees the flight service as playing an important role in strengthening Taiwan-Japan relations and promoting the spread of prosperity throughout Asia. This position is in keeping with his belief that economic development is key to creating a virtuous cycle and reducing tensions in the region. It also demonstrates an astute appreciation for the value of working with one of the ROC’s special partners to deliver stability—an accomplishment in the national interests of all parties involved.
Visiting Japanese dignitaries at ceremonies in Taiwan marking the event echoed the president’s lofty sentiments. These included Shinzo Abe, former prime minister and serving parliamentarian, Tadashi Imai, chief representative of the Japan Interchange Association Taipei Office, and a delegation from the Japan-ROC Diet Members’ Consultative Council.
For Taiwan and Japan, the flight route is a significant step forward in bolstering a bilateral trade and cultural framework that reflects the reality of Asia’s emergence as a global power center. Within this context, both sides will use the service to stimulate domestic growth and season their relationship with greater trust and purpose. This lays the foundation for promoting meaningful exchanges and producing tangible results on the issues that really matter to Taipei and Tokyo.
The Taiwan-Japan relationship is strong and will grow even stronger in the days ahead. Songshan-Haneda direct flights are sure to play a central role in this process and reflect the ROC government’s broader, regional approach to balancing its external relations while embracing new opportunities to grow the Asian pie.
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