China Southern Airlines, the newest member of SkyTeam and the largest carrier in mainland China, signed an agreement on strategic co-operation with China Airlines, the largest airline company in Taiwan, stating that the two carriers will strengthen their partnership on business and strategy, to provide more convenient and premium services to compatriots across the Taiwan Straits. Mr. Liu Shaoyong, Chairman of China Southern Airlines, and Mr. Zhao Guoshuai, Chairman of China Airlines signed the pact on behalf of the two parties.

With the gradual realization of cross-strait direct charter flights, the exchange of people across the strait will further expand. China Southern, together with China Airlines, rises to assume the responsibility of building a convenient bridge in the sky for the people across the strait. On 4 July, China Southern will operate the first ever direct charter flight to Taiwan. The Airbus A330 aircraft will take off at 7:20am from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and touch down in Taipei at 9am, making China Southern Airlines the first mainland carrier to land in Taiwan after the opening of the cross-strait weekend charter flight service.

China Southern Airlines, the biggest airline company in mainland China, ranks 4th in terms of annual passenger traffic globally, the first within Asia. It is the only airline company within Asia that ranks in the top 5 in terms of global passenger traffic. Through one of the world's most extensive hub networks, China Southern cooperated with the other members of SkyTeam closely to offer its passengers flights covering 841 destinations in 162 countries. China Airlines operates the largest and most technologically advanced airline fleet, as well as the most extensive air network and largest passenger traffic volume in Taiwan. Currently, China Airlines operated 68 modern Boeing and Airbus aircraft serving destinations to 68 cities in 25 countries and regions.

In addition to the mutual services ranging over ground service, passenger service, apron service, passenger volume control, telecom, freight and mail service that China Southern will do for China Airlines in Guangzhou and China Airlines will do for China Southern in Taiwan, both parties will join hands in code-sharing, passenger ticket endorsement due to abnormal flights, cargo warehousing, VIP Lounge sharing and favorable joint ticket fares.

And both sides will join forces not only in passenger and freight transport, but also in aircraft maintenance, frequent flyer program, interline e-ticketing service as well as training programs.

In his speech, Mr. Liu Shaoyong, Chairman of China Southern indicated that the signing of the memorandum aimed at providing "reliable, comfortable and convenient" services for passengers across the strait, while boosting better communications between the compatriots. Furthermore, it will complement the resources of both China Southern and China Airlines, and help them to seize the opportunities in the market, grow faster and realize a win-win situation.