For the first time in 20 years, a military charter flight that flew to the Pratas Islands was denied entry by the Hong Kong authorities, citing "dangerous activities." The Ministry of National Defense responded by saying it's an act of damaging international order. Experts believe it's a warning from China to Taiwan.
On the 15th, a military charter flight headed to the Pratas Islands took off from Kaohsiung. When it tried to enter Hong Kong's flight information region, the flight was denied entry on the grounds of "dangerous activities" taking place. The flight had to turn around and return to Taiwan.
Dongsha Air Control Tower, Uni Air Flight 9051 Guard channel test.
The Pratas Islands are located within Hong Kong's flight information region. Normally, Taipei aviation officials notify their Hong Kong counterpart of incoming flights. This was the first time in 20 years a ROC Coast Guard charter flight has been turned away from the Pratas Islands for non-weather related reasons. The Civil Aeronautics Administration says Hong Kong did not make any relevant announcements beforehand. The Ministry of National Defense, meanwhile, says no PRC military exercises were being held in the area on that day.
Based on our data at the ministry, the Chinese Communists were not holding any military exercises either there or in peripheral waters. They should not damage international aviation order.
The Hong Kong authorities should keep their announcements in line with relevant International Civil Aviation Organization regulations.
With cross-strait tensions at an all-time high, Kuomintang think tank official Lin Yu-fang says this may have been a "retaliatory warning" on China's part.
(China) wants Taiwan to know it is not happy. This was a kind of retaliation or warning from China. (In the future), China will target these small islands for use as non-combat pawns.
Lin says the Pratas Islands are politically and strategically important due to their proximity to China and China will use this kind of tactic to warn Taiwan as an alternative to declaring war. Hong Kong aviation officials say the flight was turned away because Taiwan canceled its request to enter Hong Kong's flight information area.