A flight ban north of Taiwan could affect a large number of international flights.
(Photo: AP)
Taipei According to insiders, China now wants to set up a temporary no-fly zone after the end of its military maneuvers in a conflict with Taiwan. China is planning such a measure for airspace north of Taiwan for the period April 16-18, several people familiar with the plans told Reuters on Wednesday. It could massively affect air traffic in the region.
China had just held military drills around the democratically governed island, which it considers its territory. However, the government in Taiwan wants to keep the island independent and has a powerful ally in the USA.
The Chinese maneuver was in response to a meeting between Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California.
One of the insiders said the flight ban will affect 60 to 70 percent of flights between Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as flights between Taiwan and South Korea, Japan and North America. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said China is planning a no-fly zone about 85 nautical miles north of the island. The closures would fall within the so-called identification zone of Taiwan’s air defenses. Japan said China had briefed Japan on the establishment of a no-fly zone during the period, saying it was about aerospace activities.
After the official end of its three-day maneuvers around Taiwan, China also held military exercises in the region on Tuesday. State television reported that several warships in the waters around Taiwan continued combat exercises under real combat conditions.
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