When the United Nations voted to grant membership to the People’s Republic of China in 1971, it simultaneously stripped Taiwan of its seat in the international organization. Along with that, Taiwan lost its membership in numerous UN–affiliated agencies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, as well as its
position on the UN Security Council.

This year, however, officials with Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration, including director general Shen Chi, were invited to attend the ICAO assembly for the first time since that vote. Taiwan, also known as the Republic of China, is a guest under the name Chinese Taipei Civil Aeronautics Administration. The meetings are taking place in Montreal until October 3.

This invitation will likely become a topic of conversation when local Taiwanese celebrate their National Day on October 4 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, there are more than 1.3 million flights per year carrying 40 million passengers in the Taipei Flight Information Region. The Taiwanese government argues that access to ICAO information will enhance safety and convenience for travellers passing through the region. The invitation also allows Taiwanese officials to communicate concerns about aviation issues to the agency.

“I would like to thank all the countries and people that made their contributions to world civil-aviation safety by speaking up for Taiwan’s participation in ICAO,” Michael Y.K. Tseng, director general of TECO, told the Straight by phone.

The invitation to attend the Montreal assembly came after U.S. president Barack Obama signed a bill supporting Taiwan’s participation in the ICAO.