Flight attendents take a group photo at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Thursday.[Photo by Gao Erqiang/Asianewsphoto]

In a recent cross-Straits forum, Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, called for better conditions for young people living, studying, working, or starting businesses on the other side of the Straits.

Yu was speaking at the 10th Cross-Straits Economic, Trade and Culture Forum in Shanghai on Sunday, a regular event between the mainland and Taiwan.

"It is hoped the smiles and high quality of service provided by the new flight attendants will provide a better travelling experience for passengers from Taiwan,"Xiao said.

A growing number of airlines are choosing to employ local attendants to provide a localized service, and the high frequency of flights between Taiwan and mainland cities, especially Shanghai, has led to the recruitment of the new staff from Taiwan.

Trade and communications between the mainland and Taiwan have grown rapidly during the past decade, and by the end of March, entrepreneurs from Taiwan had invested a total of 61.6 billion in the mainland.

Increased cross-Straits interaction has created a huge demand for direct flights. Last year there were 9.41 million trips between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, with visitors from the mainland accounting for 4 million of them.

In October 2013, Spring Airlines became the first privately owned carrier to operate direct flights between the mainland and Taiwan.