TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The decision by China's Civil Aviation Administration to cancel offset measures for the M503 flight route from north to south starting Thursday (Feb. 1) and to implement eastbound connecting routes from W122 and W123 on the M503 has raised concerns over airspace management and regional stability.
Airspace Management Dispute
In response to questions about the timing of this decision and its relation to Taiwan's elections, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO, China), emphasized on Wednesday (Jan. 31) that the adjustment is aimed at alleviating congestion in the relevant airspace.
"M503 is a civilian route. Therefore, the Mainland Affairs Council's argument does not stand. It's a regular part of China's civil aviation airspace management. There's no need to consult with Taiwan," stated Chen.
This statement reflects the stance of the Chinese government regarding its unilateral actions in the management of flight routes.
Tension in the Taiwan Strait
Conversely, Sun Li-fang, legislator-at-large from the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), warned of the potential for increased tension and instability in the region.
"Any one-sided, irrational action like this will easily lead to a rapid rise in tension, destroying the status quo of regional stability in the Taiwan Strait. Beijing should stop this destructive behavior immediately," Sun asserted.
Amid these tensions, a distinguished professor from the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies, National Chengchi University, expressed concerns over the political implications of the move, viewing it as a demonstration of China's various means to exert pressure on Taiwan, especially before the inauguration of Taiwan's new president on May 20.
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) emphasized that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are crucial for security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and it's a shared responsibility.
The unilateral and coercive actions by the Chinese government could lead to heightened tensions and destabilize the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, urging Beijing to take responsibility and halt such practices immediately.