The Mainland Affairs Council is urging China to begin talks after a
unilateral decision to launch the W-121 flight route.

Beijing announced the route on Sunday - saying it will "benefit people on
both sides of the strait" by easing air traffic, ensuring flight safety,
reducing delays, and protecting travelers' rights.

The west-to-east route connects Dongshan in Zhejiang Province to the
north-south M-503 flight route, which was moved closer to the median line of
the Taiwan Strait by China in February 2024.

The Mainland Affairs Council says the move not only disrespects the consensus
between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and public opinion in Taiwan, but
destabilized the strait and the region.

The council also says the China's international flight volume has yet to
return to pre-COVID levels and that the W-121 route does not connect the two
sides of the strait.

The Civil Aviation Administration has issued a statement describing China's
decision as being regrettable, and saying it will closely monitor flights
closely to ensure safety.