Veteran Taiwan pop star Chi Chin (R) and Chinese mainland singer Tan Jing record a new song "Direct Flight of Love" in Beijing on Wednesday, July 2, 2008. [Photo: ent.sina.com.cn]

A new song "Direct Flight of Love" was recorded in Beijing on Wednesday evening to celebrate the weekend cross-Straits charter flights that will start operation this Friday.

Website sina.com.cn reported that veteran Taiwan pop star Chi Chin and Chinese mainland singer Tan Jing were invited to sing the song.

Chi hailed the opening of the direct flights for the convenience it brings. As a frequent commuter between the mainland and Taiwan, Chi always had to transfer in Hong Kong before, which was much more time-consuming.

The two singers exchanged local specialties from their hometowns as gifts for each other to express cross-Straits friendship.

The lyrics for the song were written by an Olympic Organizing Committee official Wang Pingjiu and the music was composed by famous music producer and singer Xiao Ke.

The Chinese mainland and Taiwan agreed on June 13 to start weekend charter flights across the Taiwan Straits starting on July 4. In the past, charter flights were only available during times of major festivals.