China Plans Airspace Shut North of Taiwan April 16-18

China intends to close the airspace north of Taiwan during 16-18 April, four sources with knowledge of the matter revealed on Wednesday.

China and Taiwan's foreign ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The ban would disrupt Taiwan's northern flight information region (FIR), four officials outside China told Reuters.

Earlier this month, China imposed further sanctions on Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US, banning her and family members from entering the mainland.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office announced the sanctions that also prohibit investors and firms related to Hsiao from cooperating with mainland organizations and individuals.

This step followed Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy during a stopover in the US this week.

“Wow, the PRC (People’s Republic of China) just sanctioned me again, for the second time,” Hsiao tweeted in response to the announcement.