TAIPEI: Taiwan on Thursday demanded China immediately close new flight routes launched close to the island, calling it a “reckless” and politically motivated move.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced Thursday that it is opening four routes to help ease congestion in its airspace over the Taiwan Strait, which separates the island from mainland China.
But Taipei said Beijing had not consulted it over the move which “ignores flight safety and disrespects Taiwan.”
“We believe ... this is purposefully using civil aviation as a cover for improper intentions regarding Taiwan politics and even military affairs,” Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement.
Critics say that the main route in the dispute, M503, runs too close to the island’s airspace.
China’s first attempt to open the route in 2015 sparked protests that prompted Beijing to move it closer to the mainland and use it only for north-to-south flights.
“The rapid growth of flights in western Taiwan Strait airspace in recent years has caused increasingly serious delays,” CAAC said Thursday.
The M503 can now be used for south-to-north flights too, it announced, adding the four new routes are only for civilian flights and that China will maintain technical communications with Taiwan.
Taiwan’s defense ministry said Thursday that the military will intercept, warn and repel if necessary any planes that cross into Taiwanese airspace and threaten the island’s security.
China and Taiwan split after a civil war in 1949 and the island has been self-ruled since. But Beijing still claims the island as part of its territory to be brought back into its fold — by force if necessary.
Beijing has cut off official communications with Taipei since Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen came to power in May 2016, as it does not trust her traditionally pro-independence party.
Beijing has also exerted military pressure on Taiwan’s airspace by stepping up drills around the island.
Taiwan demands immediate halt to new China flight routes
Taiwan demands immediate halt to new China flight routes
Closing Bell: Saudi main market ends week in red at 11,189
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed lower at the end of the trading week on Thursday, falling 1.34 percent, or 152.54 points, to finish at 11,188.73.
The benchmark index opened at 11,320.52 and trended lower throughout the session, finishing well below its previous close of 11,341.27.
Market breadth was sharply negative, with only 28 gainers compared with 236 decliners. Trading activity saw a volume of 239 million shares exchanged, with total turnover reaching SR5.5 billion ($1.47 billion).
In the parallel market, Nomu closed higher, rising 0.23 percent to 23,865.95, although decliners continued to outnumber advancers. The MT30 index closed at 1,508.60, down 1.46 percent, shedding 22.38 points by the end of the session.
Among the session’s top gainers, Dar Al Majed Real Estate Co. led advances, rising 5.43 percent to close at SR9.91.
Al Aziziah REIT Fund added 4.67 percent to SR4.48, while Al Majed Oud Co. gained 2.81 percent to SR161.20. AFG International Co. advanced 2.45 percent to SR17.17, and Al Mawarid Manpower Co. rose 1.37 percent to SR125.70.
On the losing side, Saudi Research and Media Group posted the steepest decline, falling 6.88 percent to SR107. Cherry Trading Co. dropped 6.23 percent to SR28.88, while Saudi Arabian Mining Co. slipped 5.41 percent to SR72.55.
Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. declined 5.38 percent to SR102, and Power and Water Utility Co. for Jubail and Yanbu ended 4.56 percent lower at SR31.36.
On the announcements front, Saudi Industrial Investment Group released its interim financial results for the twelve-month period ended Dec. 31, 2025, reporting a return to profitability on an annual basis despite posting a quarterly loss.
The company recorded a net loss of SR104 million in the fourth quarter, compared with a net profit of SR201 million in the same quarter of the previous year, which it attributed mainly to lower selling prices, higher operating costs, and increased general and administrative expenses.
For the full year, however, the group posted a net profit attributable to shareholders of SR197 million, compared with SR161 million a year earlier, supported by higher sales volumes and improved operational performance at several subsidiaries. The stock last traded at SR14.77, down 3.59 percent.
Separately, Saudi Exchange Co. announced the approval of a request by Merrill Lynch Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to terminate its market-making activities for Saudi Arabian Oil Co., effective Feb. 8.
The exchange said the termination relates specifically to the market-making agreement for Saudi Aramco shares and was approved in line with applicable market-making regulations.
