What flight safety risks do new Chinese routes pose to Taiwan?

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New Chinese Air Routes Pose Significant Flight Safety Risks to Taiwan

New Chinese air routes, W123 and W122, have been established and connected to the M503 flight path, running alongside existing routes to Taiwan-controlled islands of Kinmen and Matsu. These new routes create a perilous proximity to Taiwanese airspace, with the Chinese and Taiwanese flight paths converging to a mere 1.1 nautical miles at their closest point near Kinmen. Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration has strongly condemned these as unilateral measures implemented without consultation, asserting that they seriously compromise aviation safety within Taiwanese airspace.
Proximity to Taiwanese Airspace

The newly operational Chinese routes W123 and W122 connect to the M503 flight path and are situated in close proximity to existing flight paths serving Kinmen and Matsu. These Taiwanese-controlled islands are regularly serviced by flights originating from Taiwan. The critical issue highlighted is the narrow separation of just 1.1 nautical miles between the Chinese flight path and Taiwanese routes near Kinmen. This minimal distance raises concerns about potential mid-air collisions and complicates air traffic management.
Unilateral Implementation and Lack of Consultation

Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration has characterized China's decision to open these new routes as a serious impact on aviation safety due to its unilateral nature. The administration explicitly stated that these measures were taken without prior consultation with Taiwan. This lack of dialogue contravenes previous agreements, such as a 2015 deal where China had agreed to first discuss changes to flight paths, a commitment that Taiwan felt was violated in 2018 when a northbound section of the M503 route was opened without prior notification.
Taiwan's Proposed Response Measures

In response to the perceived threat, Taiwan's air traffic controllers are prepared to take assertive action. They will issue "strong requests" to their Chinese counterparts to guide any aircraft away should one approach Taiwan's controlled airspace. Furthermore, Taiwan maintains that Chinese aircraft are prohibited from flying within the airspace that Taipei exercises control over around Kinmen and Matsu, reinforcing its stance on maintaining sovereignty over these areas.

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What flight safety risks do new Chinese routes pose to Taiwan?

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