French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné on Wednesday became the first European foreign minister to address concerns about China's alteration of the M503 flight route. That’s according to Taiwan's envoy to France, Wu Chih-chung (吳志中). Wu says this demonstrates that stability in the Taiwan Strait is an international concern.
The statement came following China’s unilateral announcement that it would move the passenger flight path closer to the median line of the Taiwan Strait. The new route is only 4.2 nautical miles from the median line at its closest point.
Séjourné says he is concerned about escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait and that France opposes unilateral changes to the status quo. He also says he would support Taiwan's participation in international organizations within the framework of France’s “one-China” policy.
French Senator Brigitte Devésa of the Senate’s Taiwan Friendship Group also condemned Beijing's actions on Wednesday.