Taiwan has taken its objections against China’s plan to open new flight routes in the Taiwan Strait to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The move comes after China unilaterally announced four new commercial flight routes earlier this week. Taiwanese civil aviation authorities believe that these routes in southeast China could potentially affect flights between Taiwan and the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu.
Foreign Minister David Lin told the legislature on Thursday that in addition to contacting the ICAO, the government has conveyed its position on the matter to a number of countries. Lin urged Beijing to continue to negotiate the issue with Taipei.
"Our position is very clear. We do not accept the mainland’s unilateral announcement of new flight routes," Lin said. "We want everybody to join in urging Mainland China to continue negotiating with us. We also hope that the mainland will not implement the new routes before negotiations come to an end."
Meanwhile, acting transportation minister Chen Jian-yu told the legislature that the flight route closest to Taiwan will be adjusted 4 nautical miles further away from Taiwanese airspace. But he said Taiwan hopes the route can be moved even further away. Chen said that China has expressed willingness to negotiate with Taiwan about the issue.