The News Lens
Date: 2018/02/24
By: Russell Hsiao
Contrary to Beijing’s vague claim, there is apparently no direct communication between
Photo Credit: Reuters/達志影像
air traffic control systems in Taiwan and China.
On January 4, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) announced that it was opening four flight routes that are close to the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
This unilateral decision by the Chinese authorities reneges on an agreement that was reached between Beijing and Taipei in 2015 after a similar move by Beijing provoked a protest by the previous administration on Taiwan and the two sides agreed to hold prior-consultations over air routes for aviation safety.
In the case of M-503, it’s clear that the political signal was intended to express Beijing’s displeasure with the Tsai government. [FULL STORY]
