Reports from Taiwan say a Chinese Republic airliner has been hijacked.

Taiwan state radio said the Air China plane, on a domestic flight to Kunmingfrom the Chinese capital, Beijing, had been seized by a group of hijackers who had ordered the pilot to fly to Taiwan.

More than ninety passengers are believed to be on board the plane, reported to be a Boeing 737.

Correspondents say hijackings of Chinese airliners to Taiwan were common a few years ago but have recently slowed due to improvements in security.