The three-yearly meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization will be held from September 27 to October 7. It is as yet uncertain as to whether Taiwan will receive an invitation to attend. Premier Lin Chuan said Friday that it is reasonable that Taiwan should be able to take part.
“I think Taiwan should participate in the International Civil Aviation Organization, we believe this is reasonable. Because so many flights pass through Taiwan’s flight information region every day. From a global perspective, it is right that we as a member of the international community should enter into discussions and exchanges on matters related to international civil aviation," said Lin.
Over 1.5 million flights passed through the Taipei Flight Information Region last year.
Taiwan attended the last meeting of the UN-affiliated organization in 2013 as an observer. The invitation last time was seen as a result of the thaw in cross-strait relations under former president Ma Ying-jeou. But with Beijing seemingly boycotting the new administration of President Tsai Ing-wen, an invitation this time seems to have been cast into doubt. The new secretary general of the organization, Fang Liu, is also a Chinese national.
Lin said the government understands the international situation and that Taiwan’s participation will require the goodwill and support of other parties, including China. He said the government is hopeful of such a response.