Let’s stop China’s ambition for world aviation dominance

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, Asia-Pacific regional safety, peace, stability and prosperity is increasingly important and is everyone’s concern.

Before and since Taiwan’s Jan. 13, 2024, presidential and legislative elections, China’s military significantly increased incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone and has more frequently crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait — a direct and blatant provocation.

After Taiwan’s elections, the U.S. sent a senior bipartisan delegation to Taiwan to reaffirm that the United States’ commitment to Taiwan is “rock-solid, principled and bipartisan,” as former U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said in Taipei on Jan. 15.

Yet, the dangers China poses to Taiwan’s airspace and to commercial aviation have increased.

Without prior consultation with Taiwan in violation of the regulations of International Civil Aviation (ICAO), China unilaterally altered the previously agreed practice on flight routes M503, W122 and W123 on Jan. 30. China’s one-sided decision brought their flights closer to the median line of the Taiwan Strait and the Taipei Flight Information Region, seriously undermining aviation safety, peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

China, once again, demonstrated to the world its total disrespect and disregard for international regulations. It also highlights the importance and urgency of addressing the problem of Taiwan’s exclusion from participation in the ICAO and other United Nations-based international organizations.

Indeed, China’s unilateral change of status quo greatly affects regional aviation safety, peace, stability and prosperity and concerns all; it should be condemned by peace-loving allies of the world.

As Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated in May 2022 during a key speech on U.S. policy toward China, “the scale and scope” of the challenges posed by China “will test American diplomacy like nothing we’ve seen before.” We urge the ICAO and international community to pay close attention to these incursions and unilateral violations and jointly demand China promptly negotiate with Taiwan on its activation of these new flight routes.

In February, a U.S. congressional delegation led by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, and including U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, visited Taiwan. As Congressman Gallagher said, “The United States, Democrats and Republicans, stand with Taiwan, for your freedom. And for ours. As Taiwan goes, so goes the world. Taiwan must remain as it stands today, a candle burning freely, fiercely and improbably against the darkness.”

Before it’s too late, peace-loving allies and international organizations must stop China’s ambition for world aviation dominance, and jointly safeguard friendly partners’ hard-earned freedom, democracy, safety, peace, stability and prosperity in every corner of the world.

• Dennis Lei is director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago.