Flight path adjusted for aviation safety
The Chinese mainland on Wednesday defended its decision to adjust the flight path of the M503 flight route, saying it is necessary to ensure aviation safety and convenience for both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced on Tuesday that it would cancel the M503 flight route's current north-to-south "offset" and also start using two connecting routes to fly from west to east onto the M503.
The move has been met with criticism from Taiwan, where the island authorities have accused the mainland of "ignoring flight safety" and "disrespecting Taiwan".
The M503 route is a civil aviation route decided by the mainland in the Shanghai Flight Information Region on the west side of the so-called median line of the Taiwan Strait in early 2015 and was moved several kilometers to the west of its original course later.
In a regular news conference on Wednesday, Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the M503 flight route falls within the Shanghai Flight Information Region. The route is necessary to ease air traffic congestion in the region and ensure safety, he said.
He also dismissed Taiwan's claims that the route change, which canceled its westward "offset measure", is a political move.
"The M503 flight route is a civil aviation route, and Taiwan is part of China. The so-called median line is non-existent," Chen said. "The route adjustment is a routine measure for civil aviation management and does not require consultation with the Taiwan side."
Chen also said the mainland has been working to facilitate cross-Strait travel. The mainland has resumed direct flights from 14 cities on the mainland to Taiwan, and the number of flights and passengers has increased. However, he said that more needs to be done.
"We hope the Taiwan authorities will lift their unreasonable restrictions to meet the travel needs of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," he said.
Related articles
Georgia's attorney general says Savannah overstepped in outlawing guns in unlocked cars
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Georgia’s attorney general says city officials in Savannah overstepped their au2024-05-08Nation vows to further expand opening
By Zhang Yunbi, Cheng Yu and Ouyang Shijia (Chinadaily.com.cn) 08:32, March 29, 2024Zhao Leji, chair2024-05-08China In Perspective: Confidence, certainty and potential behind China's 2024 growth target
(Xinhua) 08:12, March 13, 2024An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 2, 2024 shows a container vessel b2024-05-08New Zealand's dairy giant looks to expand business in China
(Xinhua) 09:05, February 20, 2024WELLINGTON, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's dairy giant Fonterra2024-05-08A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
WASHINGTON (AP) — For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alz2024-05-08DeSmith stops 32 shots and Canucks sweep season series with 3
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Casey DeSmith made 32 saves and the Vancouver Canucks strengthened their le2024-05-08
atest comment