A mainland spokeswoman Wednesday suggested the mainland and Taiwan arrange temporary charter flights between Shanghai and Taipei for the convenience of tourists from the island during the six-month-long 2010 World Expo.

"The two sides may consider temporary charter flights between Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport and Taipei's Sonshan Airport to bring convenience to Taiwan compatriots visiting the mainland during the Expo," said Fan Liqing, spokeswoman of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, at a regular press conference Wednesday in Beijing.

Also for the convenience of tourists from the island, the Bank of Communications will soon start bi-directional currency exchange services for the RMB and the New Taiwan dollar in Shanghai, according to Fan.

Fan also said representatives of all circles in Taiwan would be invited to attend the opening ceremony of the Expo scheduled for April 30 and that Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin would visit the Taipei pavilion along with other municipal officials.

The 1,400-square-meters Taiwan pavilion, completed on March 31, will open on May 1 as scheduled and hopes to attract 800,000 visitors, its organizers have said.

The Shanghai World Expo is to open on May 1 and will continue for six months. It will be the largest world exhibition and is expected to attract 70 million visitors from home and abroad.

(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2010)