Taiwan Cites Low Demand for Direct Flights Amid China's Push to Restore Routes

Beijing's recent push to fully normalize direct cross-strait air travel, following the 'Zheng-Xi meeting,' has been met with a dose of reality from Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF). SEF Secretary-General Lo Wen-chia's candid assessment reveals a significant disconnect between China's stated intentions and market demand. The assertion that 13 potential charter flight routes went entirely unused during the crucial Lunar New Year period speaks volumes about the current state of cross-strait travel. This isn't just about flight paths; it's a reflection of broader cross-strait relations, where practical considerations are often overshadowed by political maneuvering. Taiwan's perspective, as articulated by the SEF, is that such proposals—whether concerning flights, agricultural imports, or tourism—are recurring political tools used by Beijing to exert influence. The abrupt bans on Taiwanese agricultural products in the past serve as a stark reminder of the unreliability of such overtures. For Taiwan, the emphasis remains on market mechanisms and avoiding over-reliance on a single, unpredictable partner. The SEF's call for a return to established negotiation channels for issues like tourism, rather than accepting proposals made in political theater, highlights Taiwan's firm stance on maintaining its sovereignty and ensuring genuine, mutually beneficial exchanges, not ones dictated by political expediency.

“

Currently, there are 13 flight routes that can be opened for charter flights, but no one applied during the Lunar New Year, indicating that the market does not have such high demand.