TAIWAN AND CHINA on 29 January were expected to initiate the first non-stop flights in more than 55 years. The flights are scheduled to operate through 20 February. Taiwan has banned direct transport links with China since the Nationalists fled to the island in 1949 after losing the mainland to the communists in a civil war. Travellers between Taiwan and the mainland usually have to transit in places such as Hong Kong. Under the agreement, up to 12 carriers will operate 48 charter flights between the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou and the Taiwan cities of Taipei and Kaohsiung.