February 14, 2018
MAC Press Release No. 14
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated in regards to a petition presented to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and Office of the President by a group representing Taiwanese students studying in the Mainland that the government attaches great importance to the demand, right, and interests of Taiwanese students and other Taiwanese people to return home from the Mainland. It is also providing full assistance so that all Taiwanese people can safely return to Taiwan and rejoin family for the Lunar New Year. The MAC also re-emphasized that the M503 and three other contested flight routes unilaterally activated by mainland China without consultation have had a serious impact on flight safety in the region. The government must also uphold the safety, rights, and interests of Taiwanese people traveling across the Taiwan Strait.
The MAC stated that related government ministries and departments have arranged various supporting measures to meet the public demand for travel home. Taiwanese students in mainland China have all successively returned to Taiwan to reunite with family since the start of their winter break in mid-to-late January. If there are students who have not yet returned to Taiwan, a list of names can be provided to the government for assistance. The MAC and Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) today (February 14) sent personnel to convey the government's care for students. They also explained that seats are currently still available on flights from the Mainland to Taiwan and that Taiwan airlines have not raised ticket prices. Persons in need of assistance can contact the SEF service hotline (Taiwan Businesspeople Service Hotline: (02) 2533-7995; Emergency Service Hotline: (02) 2533-9995)