He did not say when the assessment would be completed, dodging inquiries as to whether it could be expected before Beijing deliberates its anti-secession bill early March.
"We also need to consider whether there is a demand for such flights ... businesses need to consider whether profit is possible," Chiu said, noting that holiday charters often met with the problem of demand on only one leg of the trip. He did say however that the council did not rule out the possibility flights in April.
The TAO also yesterday extended to agricultural representatives for the first time an invitation to visit China in March or April, adding that it would also be willing to reciprocate the visit.
The office identified in particular its interest in visiting farms located in southern Taiwan.
It is believed that China has in recent years moved to woo southern Taiwan, where support for the pan-green camp is strong.
The TAO indicated it's willingness to increase cooperation with Taiwan's agricultural sector by lifting trade barriers that limit the sale of Taiwanese agricultural products to China.
Chiu rebuffed China's overtures however, saying that increased cooperation would have to begin with efforts towards better protection of Taiwanese agricultural and biological intellectual property in China.
Yesterday's press conference comes just ahead of Beijing's anti-secession bill, which is slated to be reviewed on March 8. TAO spokesman Li Weiyi (
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