China denied on talks to open cross-strait air space

The negotiator, Ma Shao-chang, said the Strait Exchange Foundation (SEF) will need Taipei's authorization for talks over the “middle line” issue.

His remarks were in line with President Ma Ying-jeou's earlier rejection of Beijing's proposal that the air space along the middle line be opened to cross-strait flights.

The president said Thursday in Panama that Taiwan cannot open up the air space, which is a major training ground for its air force, and is vital to the island's security.

But China would not give up, issuing a statement on Friday night to express its wish to have SEF and its Chinese counterpart — the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS) — discuss the matter.

“We understand that both sides hold different views on the (middle line) issue. But we are willing to continue negotiations through the two groups (SEF and ARATS),” said the statement.

In response, Ma Shao-chang, deputy secretary general of SEF, said his group conducts negotiations with ARATS only on issues authorized by the government.

“In future talks, whether the two groups will touch on the opening of the middle line of the strait will fully depend on the government's authorization,” said the SEF official.

Both Taipei and Beijing regard the middle line as the demarcation of their respective air spaces over the Taiwan Strait, and no military or civilian planes from either side are allowed to cross it.

But Wang Yi, a Beijing official handling Taiwan relations, recently proposed that Taipei consider opening the middle-line air space to facilitate cross-strait flights.

Cross-strait tensions have eased since Ma became president.

Taipei and Beijing have signed several agreements on various issues, including the liberalization of investment and the introduction of more cross-strait direct flights.

The top envoys from both sides — SEF Chairman Chiang Pin-kung and ARATS President Chen Yunlin — are expected to meet soon for the fourth time since cross-strait talks resumed last year.

Asked if Chiang and Chen will talk about the protection of Taiwan investment in China, as well as related compensations, the SEF deputy secretary general said both sides at their very first meeting already agreed they would discuss the issue.

But he said the issue may be discussed in the fifth round of talks, meaning it will not be on the agenda of the upcoming meeting, which will take place in Taiwan.

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