A new regular direct air service was launched between Yancheng on the Chinese mainland and Taipei on Wednesday.

The mainland's China Eastern Airlines and Taiwan's China Airlines and EVA Air will jointly operate the route, said Xie Guigen, deputy director of the Yancheng Civil Aviation Station.

The three companies are jointly running a round-trip flight on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, Xie said.

As the birthplace for more than 100,000 people in Taiwan, Yancheng has a close link with the island.

Meanwhile, an increasing number of Taiwan business people are coming to Yancheng for investment.

Local government statistics show that Yancheng has 641 Taiwan-funded businesses with a total investment of US$2.66 billion.