[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 25 (Thursday, February 8, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      AVIATION SAFETY IN THE CROSS-STRAIT BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN

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                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 8, 2018

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to your 
attention that China's civil aviation authority unilaterally announced 
on January 4, 2018 that it would activate four air routes along its 
southeast coast near the midline between Taiwan and China without prior 
consultation with the Taiwanese authorities. These routes, which are 
critically close to the median line of the Taiwan Strait, are very 
likely to endanger aviation safety and security and to interfere with 
flight services in the Taipei Flight Information Region.
  This unilateral move by China without any prior consultation with the 
Taiwanese government is an irresponsible act that not only seriously 
affects aviation safety but is also a violation of longstanding cross-
strait status quo. Moreover, with this irresponsible act, the potential 
of military crisis could emerge in the Taiwan Strait, becoming a major 
threat to the peace and security of the East Asia region.
  As ensuring aviation safety and maintaining peace and stability in 
the region remain the common concern of all relevant parties, I urge my 
colleagues and the House as a body to exhort China to give priority to 
restoring negotiations with Taiwan on the flight paths as soon as 
possible. The safety, security and stability of the region are at stake 
and the United States shall not turn a blind eye against Chinese 
coercion.

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