Taiwan Denounces China’s New Aviation Route Over Taiwan Strait as Unilateral and Provocative Move
Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan’s government strongly condemned China’s recent decision to open a new west-to-east aviation route traversing the sensitive Taiwan Strait, warning that the move could heighten tensions between the two sides and destabilize regional security.
The announcement came after China’s civil aviation authority introduced another flight corridor above the strategically important waterway that separates the self-ruled island of Taiwan from mainland China. This latest route marks the third unilateral adjustment made by Beijing without prior consultation with Taipei.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) sharply criticized Beijing’s actions on Sunday, accusing China of completely disregarding previously reached cross-strait agreements and ignoring Taiwan’s public opinion. The council said, “China has unilaterally violated the consensus three times by launching these routes without Taiwan’s consultation, undermining the status quo and increasing cross-strait and regional unease.”
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China first adjusted the controversial M503 north-to-south flight path in the Taiwan Strait in January 2024. Later that year, Beijing opened two west-to-east connecting routes. The new west-to-east route launched this week is intended, according to China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua, to “alleviate the pressure caused by the increase of flights,” as quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency.
However, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council rejected this justification, stating there has been no significant increase in air traffic to warrant such changes. Instead, it urged China to resume direct negotiations to address airspace issues and avoid unilateral moves that exacerbate tensions.
The council emphasized, “The current cross-strait and Asia-Pacific situation is complex. Beijing’s unilateral actions will escalate regional tensions, which no party desires.”
Beijing maintains that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory and has never ruled out using military force to bring the island under its control. In recent years, China has stepped up military pressure by deploying fighter jets, warships, and coast guard vessels near Taiwan, alongside conducting several large-scale military exercises around the island.
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As China continues to assert control over airspace and maritime routes in the region, Taipei remains on high alert, calling for international attention to the escalating cross-strait disputes.
