Chen Binhua, a spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, attends a press conference on May14, 2025. Photo: Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council

In response to a question regarding the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)'s announcement of the activation of the M503 air route's connecting route W121 on July 6, Chen Binhua, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Sunday that this measure aims to ease flight growth pressure in the relevant region, ensure flight safety, reduce flight delays, and safeguard passengers' rights and interests - all of which are beneficial to people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

To further optimize the airspace environment and enhance operational efficiency, civil aviation will activate the W121 connecting route of the M503 air route with immediate effect, the CAAC announced on its official website on Sunday.

The M503 route is located within the Shanghai Flight Information Region, and the establishment and operation of this route is a routine task of the Chinese mainland's civil aviation airspace management, Chen noted. 

Since the M503 flight path's connecting the routes of W122 and W123 was activated, the overall operation has been safe and stable, effectively improving cross-Straits flight operations, and further facilitating personnel exchanges between the two sides, the spokesperson added.

The CAAC on April 19, 2024 announced the initiation of the west-to-east routes W122 and W123 to connect with the M503 route. The move aims to alleviate the pressure brought by flight growth in relevant areas, ensure flight safety, reduce flight delays, and safeguard the rights and interests of passengers, according to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Global Times