Taipei: Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has called on China to initiate immediate discussions regarding its unilateral launch of the W121 flight route, which was announced by Beijing on Sunday. The newly established west-to-east W121 route links Dongshan in Zhejiang Province to the north-south M503 flight route, which China controversially moved closer to the median line of the Taiwan Strait in February 2024, despite Taiwan’s objections.

According to Focus Taiwan, the MAC, Taiwan’s leading agency handling China-related issues, expressed that the decision disrespects the previously established consensus between both sides of the Taiwan Strait and disregards public sentiment in Taiwan. The council emphasized that this move destabilizes both the strait and the broader region.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, defended the new flight route, stating that it would “benefit people on both sides of the strait” by reducing air traffic congestion, ensuring flight safety, cutting down on delays, and safeguarding travelers’ rights. However, the MAC countered by noting that China’s international flight volume has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, it pointed out that the W121 route does not facilitate direct connections between the two sides of the strait.

In light of the complex dynamics between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and within the Asia-Pacific region, the MAC urged Beijing to halt its unilateral actions, which increase regional tensions and are unwelcome by the involved parties.

Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration expressed its regret over China’s decision and pledged to monitor the relevant flights closely to ensure safety. It highlighted that, according to International Civil Aviation Organization regulations, any creation, reduction, or adjustment of flight routes should be coordinated with the regions they traverse and involve relevant stakeholders.

The M503 route, to which the W121 route is connected, was initially declared unilaterally by China in 2015. It is located in the Shanghai Flight Information Region but is perilously close to the Taipei Flight Information Region, raising concerns over flight safety and Taiwan’s sovereignty. Following negotiations, China agreed to move the M503 route six nautical miles westward from its original path. However, Beijing declared on January 30, 2024, that it would shift the route eastward again, effective February 1.

The introduction of the W121 flight path follows the opening of W122 and W123, two other west-to-east flight paths south of W121, which were implemented last year in conjunction with the eastward shift of the M503 route. These developments have sparked protests from Taiwan and raised alarms about potential threats to flight safety, particularly concerning domestic flights between Taiwan and Kinmen near route W123, as well as Taiwan’s security.