Beijing urges US objectivity on new Taiwan air routes
China said on Friday that the US should take an objective view on China’s opening of the M503 and other connecting routes across the Taiwan Straits and abide by the one-China policy.
“The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and Civil Aviation Administration of China have thoroughly explained the opening of the M503. We hope the US could take an objective view on the issue,” the Foreign Ministry told the Global Times on Friday.
The ministry also said that China hopes the US would abide by the one-China policy and principles enshrined in the three China-US joint communiqués, and properly deal with the Taiwan question.
China’s Civil Aviation Administration announced on its website on Thursday that “the M503 route is part of the Shanghai Flight Information Region, and it’s the administration’s duty to open and manage the route.”
Flights west of the Taiwan Straits have increased in recent years, which has led to serious delays. The opening of the M503 and other connecting routes to northbound flights will effectively ease the pressure on current air routes, enhance air safety and make flights more punctual, the release said
The release added that the mainland’s aviation administration would stay in touch with Taiwan. The M503 route would avoid flights from Jinmen and Mazu to Taiwan in an effort to ensure air safety.
The opening of the M503 has triggered concerns in Taiwan.
A report by Taiwan-based Central News Agency said an unnamed US State Department official expressed concern that China “has modified the use of civil aviation flight routes in the Taiwan Strait without consulting with Taiwan authorities,” and said any such issue should be “decided through dialogue between both sides.”
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced on Thursday that it is opening four routes over the Taiwan Straits, including the south-to-north M503 route and three connecting regional routes.
The mainland’s regular arrangement for civil aviation routes has prompted strong reactions from the Taiwan authorities. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council and its defense authority demanded that the mainland close the routes, saying it threatens the island’s security. The unreasonable demand will certainly not be accepted by the mainland.
The opening of the M503 routes would ease the congestion in the mainland’s airspace. The mainland’s aviation industry has witnessed spectacular growth in recent years, with flights increasing rapidly and airports being constantly expanded. The Taiwan Straits lie off the southeast coast of China, and the south and north sides of the area are the most developed regions in China, with many super cities located along the coastline. It is one of the most reasonable arrangements for civilian flights over the coast.
Taiwan authorities accused the mainland of not negotiating with them before opening the routes. It must be noted that the collapse of communication channels between the mainland and Taiwan resulted from Taiwan authorities’ refusal to recognize the 1992 Consensus. Before opening the new routes, the CAAC had informed the relevant departments in Taiwan. If Taiwan authorities desire more consultations, they should ask Tsai Ing-wen, the island’s current leader, to change her stance of refusing to recognize the 1992 Consensus that stresses the one-China principle and prompt her to restore communication lines with the mainland.
We also cannot help ask, “How could civilian flights threaten Taiwan’s air defense security?” Such a mentality was caused by the guilt conscience of supporting Taiwan independence. The mainland has always been committed to expanding cross-Straits exchanges and promoting the peaceful reunification of China.
There is no need to worry that the mainland would launch a sudden attack on Taiwan by leveraging the new civil aviation routes as long as some forces in Taiwan do not seek to separate the island of Taiwan from China.
Besides, if the mainland is determined to solve the Taiwan question by military means, it has the overwhelming military advantage and does not need to wage a sudden attack.
To open the civil aviation route west of the middle line of the Taiwan Straits is economically relevant and urgent. The earlier Taiwan authorities face the reality and change its stance toward the mainland, the easier it can catch up with the booming development of the surrounding region.