China lift travel restrictions

On 8 September 2008 officials in China announced that additional travel restrictions to the island of Taiwan will be lifted in an attempt to improve bilateral relations. The mainland communist government made a landmark decision in July 2008 to begin regularly scheduled flights to Taiwan for the first time in more than 50 years. The easing of restrictions is part of an overall move toward closer ties between China and Taiwan that began when Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008.