DIPLOMACY
US criticizes Beijing
The US Department of State on Thursday expressed concern over changes to China’s M503 flight path, saying the US was opposed to any unilateral changes to the cross-strait “status quo” by either side. In an e-mail response, a department spokesperson said the US urged Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan and instead engage in “meaningful dialogue” with Taipei. “Issues related to civil aviation and safety in the Taiwan Strait should be decided through dialogue between both sides,” the spokesperson said. The Civil Aviation Administration of China on Tuesday announced that it was canceling an “offset” of its north-south M503 flight path agreed with Taiwan in 2015. As a result, the flight path, used mostly by Chinese airlines, but also some foreign airlines on flights between China and Southeast Asia, would revert to its original status, coming as close as 4.2 nautical miles (7.8km) to the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
WEATHER
Cold weather to remain
Taiwan is forecast to see cooler weather continue through today due to strengthening northeasterly winds, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Northern Taiwan can expect highs of 20°C to 23°C, a major drop from about 30°C in Taipei and New Taipei City on Thursday, CWA forecaster Chang Cheng-chuan (張承傳) said. The cold air is expected to be relatively mild, with lows of 17°C to 19°C forecast nationwide through today, Chang said. Brief showers can be expected in parts of northern Taiwan and the eastern half of the country, as well as the Hengchun Peninsula today, he said. Temperatures are forecast to begin to rise as the wind system weakens tomorrow, while brief showers are forecast to continue in some areas, he added. Cool weather is expected to return next week with the arrival of a cold front, Chang said. The mercury is forecast to plummet to as low as 13°C to 14°C in central and northern Taiwan in the early morning on Thursday, while other areas could see lows of 16°C, he said. The cold front is expected linger until Saturday next week to Sunday, during which time lows of 11°C to 12°C could be experienced in the north.
CULTURE
Sheeran arrives in Taiwan
British singer Ed Sheeran on Thursday arrived in Kaohsiung for his concert scheduled for today. The concert at the National Stadium is part of the singer’s ongoing “Mathematics Tour” to promote his sixth album, -, and seventh album Autumn Variations, according to organizers Kuang Hong Arts. After his arrival, Sheeran spent some time sightseeing in the city and posted Instagram stories of various locations, including the Pier-2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區) and the inflatable yellow ducks at Love River Bay. His last performance in Taiwan was his 2019 “Divide World Tour” show in Taoyuan. Today’s concert is to be opened by British singer Calum Scott at about 7pm, and Sheeran is to take the stage at about 8pm, according to the Kuang Hong Arts Web site. Eyeing the economic boost the concert could bring, the Kaohsiung City Government has launched a program whereby fans can receive coupons by showing their concert tickets. The coupons, worth NT$50 each, can be picked up until tomorrow at six metro stations — Formosa Boulevard, Zuoying, Kaohsiung Main Station, Sanduo Shopping District, Kaohsiung Arena and Yanchengpu — and can be used until April 30, the Kaohsiung Economic Development Bureau said.
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