As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the House of Commons, the All-Party Parliamentary British-Taiwanese Group, and as the President of the Conservative Friends of Taiwan, for years I have spared no efforts in helping to promote the bilateral relationship between Taiwan and the UK, in particular the support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is also in UK, EU and global interest.
Over the past three years, ten of my colleagues from both Houses of Parliament have also joined my efforts, through written communications or tabling questions, to encourage the UK government in moving toward the same direction.
While all the 10 responses received from the responsible Ministers are all positive most recent response on September 12th, clearly spelt out that "the Government’s policy is to support pragmatic solutions that allow Taiwan to participate in international organizations where it is in UK, EU or global interest…… We continue to support Taiwan’s attendance at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) General Assembly……and encourage Taiwan to suggest pragmatic solutions as to its further participation. "
Apparently and partly due to our efforts, I am pleased to learn that Ms. Shen Chi, Director General of Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) of Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications, on the 11th of September received an official invitation from Mr. Roberto Kobeh Gonzalez, President of the ICAO Council, to attend the 38th ICAO Assembly as a ‘guest’.
This is still not enough, but can be said a significant first step toward Taiwan’s broader and eventual participation as an Assembly observer, and to open many more doors to important ICAO technical and regional meetings. After all, Taiwan controls an airspace about 80% of the size of UK, with an annual volume of air traffic between 1.3 million to 1.8 million flights. It cannot be allowed to have such an airspace with tremendously heavy air traffic become a “gap,” left outside the global aviation networks.