Taiwan Backs Creation of Cross-Strait Aviation Investigation Mechanism

Text of report in English by Luis Huang, carried by Taiwanese Central News Agency website

Taipei, Sept. 2 (CNA) – The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has thrown its support behind an idea from the Aviation Safety Council (ASC) to push for the establishment of a cross-Taiwan Strait aviation accident investigation mechanism, an ASC official said Sunday.

According to the official, the ASC has been working hard to push for the establishment of such a mechanism in recent years in preparation for the future opening of direct transportation links between Taiwan and China.

ASC Chairman Wu Ching-hsiung and Executive Director Yang Hung- chih met with MAC Chairman Chen Ming-tong in mid-July to discuss the feasibility of the proposal, the official said, adding that the top planner of Taiwan’s policy on China expressed his support for the idea.

As a matter of fact, the official said, the MAC has included the issue of handling aviation mishaps in cross-strait direct transport link negotiations, and both parties have tentatively agreed that future cross-strait aviation accidents will be handled in line with general international practices and precedents.

Nevertheless, the official admitted that the proposal to establish a cross-strait aviation investigation mechanism has been hampered by political issues. As international aviation accidents have usually been handled in accordance with the principle of “state- to-state relations, ” the official said, Beijing authorities are unwilling to follow such a principle to set up the proposed aviation mishap investigation mechanism with the ASC.

Noting that the ASC will continue discussions with relevant Chinese authorities on the issue, the official said many issues have to be negotiated before a breakthrough can be achieved.

He further said that the ASC will send representatives to attend a sixth seminar on cross-strait aviation safety, scheduled for Sept. 3-8, in Urumchi City in China’s northwestern province of Xinjiang. During the meeting, he said participants will discuss differences in laws and regulations governing aviation accident investigations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Originally published by Central News Agency website, Taipei, in English 1240 2 Sep 07.

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