Chinese authorities have announced that one of the routes for civilian aircraft over the Taiwan Strait will be changed to be closer to Taiwan and will begin operating from February 1st. Taiwanese authorities have strongly opposed the move, calling it a ``unilateral announcement and a politically and militarily unfair attempt.''
This route was established by Chinese authorities in 2015, but after discussions with Taiwanese authorities who had safety concerns, the route was shifted closer to mainland China than the original route, and operations began with only southbound flights. .
However, Chinese authorities began operating this service on northbound flights in 2018, and on the night of the 30th announced that ``the measures to shift southbound routes will be discontinued from February 1st''.
If implemented, commercial aircraft using this route are expected to fly closer to Taiwan than before, and according to Taiwan's newspaper "Free Times" and other sources, the shortest distance is 7.8 kilometers to the "median line" of the Taiwan Strait. This means getting close to.
Chinese authorities explained, ``This route is within the Shanghai Flight Information Zone, and the establishment and commencement of operations are normal operations for civil airspace management on the mainland.The purpose is to ease the burden caused by the increase in the number of flights and reduce flight delays.'' I am.
In response, the Taiwanese authorities said, ``We strictly protest China's unilateral announcement. It covers up politically and militarily unjust plans against Taiwan with civilian airspace control, and it is an attempt to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.'' "There are concerns," he strongly objected.
As the number of Chinese military aircraft flying over the Taiwan Strait's "median line" is increasing, there is a view that this change in route is another move by China to reduce the "median line" to a mere shell. I am.