1)
China will launch controversial new flight route M503 on March 29. That’s the word from Taiwan’s top China policy maker, Andrew Hsia, on Friday.
China was originally planning to launch the new flight route on March 5. But its unilateral announcement of the route – just kilometers from the center line of the Taiwan Strait – drew a strong backlash from Taiwan. Officials in Taipei say that the new route poses a threat to aviation safety and to Taiwan’s national security.
In response to China’s announcement, the defense ministry said Friday that it will monitor the area to see if Chinese military planes are using the new route by posing as commercial aircraft. The ministry said that it has contingency plans in place if this happens.
2)
Taiwan is scheduled to open up to independent travelers from eleven more Chinese cities beginning in mid-April.
On Wednesday, Tourism Bureau official Chen Chiung-hua explained what the decision will entail.
"The number of Mainland travelers traveling independently in Taiwan has continued to boom and expand. After negotiations, the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association and the Mainland’s Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association have both agreed to open up independent travel in Taiwan to residents of a fifth batch of Mainland cities," said Chen.
"There are already 36 cities on the list. We will be opening up to people from eleven more beginning April 15. So the total number of cities will reach 47," she said.
The new additions include Changzhou, Lanzhou, Huizhou, and Haikou.
Chen also said that the Tourism Bureau will consider whether to raise the annual quota of independent Chinese tourists allowed into Taiwan.
Nearly 2.2 million independent Chinese travelers have arrived in Taiwan since the introduction of limited independent tourism in 2011. More than a million of those travelers came in 2014 alone. The growth in independent tourism from the Mainland is continuing strong in 2015, with an average 4,554 arriving daily in January and February.
3)
Taiwan is scheduled to hold next year’s presidential and legislative elections on January 16. That’s the word from the Central Election Commission (CEC) Tuesday.
CEC Vice Chairperson Chen Wen-sheng said the decision was made after CEC members voted unanimously for the date at a Tuesday meeting.
Under Taiwan’s election laws, new legislators must be voted for by Jan. 21.
Chen also said the election day does not affect college students’ right to vote as most schools will have finals by Jan. 15. Chen said the CEC will notify the education ministry of its decision so that universities will be able to adjust their academic calendar ahead of time.