New flight route over Taiwan Strait negotiated: Mainland office

The Chinese mainland said Wednesday that a new flight path over the Taiwan Strait was agreed upon through negotiations between the aviation authorities of the two sides.

Spokesman for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, Ma Xiaoguang, said at a regular press conference that the M503 flight route, which can be used from March 5, was designed in cooperation with the United States and other countries, and approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

M503's three connecting flight lanes are necessary linking passageways, Ma said, adding that air control authorities will strengthen communication with neighboring areas to ensure flight safety.

The new route is designed to relieve the pressure of increased flights around Shanghai and the Pearl River Delta in south China.

Ma said he hoped the residents of Taiwan understood the need for such an important route.

The mainland's civil aviation agency, Ma said, ensured clear communication with its Taiwanese counterpart. The two sides have held two rounds of negotiation on the route and will continue to do so after M503 is put into service.