Fly direct China to Taiwan - first since 1949

Things went bad between Taiwan and China in 1949

Cross-Strait relations refers to the relations between mainland China, which sits to the west of the Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan, which sits to the east; especially the relations between their respective governments, the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC).

In 1949, with the Chinese Civil War turning decisively in the Communists' (CPC) favour, the ROC government led by the Kuomintang (KMT) retreated to Taipei, in Taiwan, while the CPC proclaimed the PRC government in Beijing.

In 2008 they allowed direct air and ocean service between Taiwan and China.

This had a rocky start.

Taiwan Seizes Drugs from China Flight
12/19/2008

Customs officials on Thursday seized 30 kilos of illegal drugs that arrived on one of the first direct flights from China to Taiwan. Agents in Taipei found eight boxes of the hallucinogenic party drug ketamine worth approximately $28,500, officials said. Agents took into custody a 31-year-old Chinese woman in connection with the discovery.

I don't think this will have too much affect on the relationship between the 2 countries.

Customs officials said they were prepared for the possibility of drug smuggling.

Previous to this ban being lifted, all air and cargo shipments had to transship in Hong Kong, adding time and expense.