Taiwan has refused permission for nearly 200 flights by Chinese airlines over the strait that separates the two rivals due to the carriers’ use of controversial new travel routes introduced by China. China said it had introduced the new flight routes to help ease congestion in its airspace over the strait and that the routes would only be used for civilian flights and China would maintain technical communications with Taiwan. Taiwan’s military has said it will intercept, warn and repel if necessary any planes that cross into Taiwanese airspace and threaten the island’s security. Cross-strait ties have steadily deteriorated since 2016 when President Tsai Ing-wen of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party was elected. Beijing stopped communication between the two sides after she took office.
