The Taiwan Strait

[Viking01 187]

We fly along the Taiwan Strait with landings in China and Taiwan.

Our departure airport is Baiyun (ZGGG), which serves the Guangzhou area. Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton, is the capital and largest city of Guangdong province in southern China. Situated on the Pearl River, approximately 120 km (75 mi) north-northwest of Hong Kong and 145 km (90 mi) north of Macau, Guangzhou boasts a rich history spanning over 2,200 years. It was a significant terminus of the Silk Road. The port of Guangzhou plays a crucial role as a transportation hub, and the city ranks among China’s three largest cities. Historically, it was the primary Chinese port accessible to most foreign traders. However, after the First Opium War, Guangzhou lost its monopoly status due to British capture and subsequent competition from other ports like Hong Kong and Shanghai. Despite this, it remains a major entrepôt. With a substantial urban population and bustling port traffic, Guangzhou qualifies as a large port megacity—the largest type of port city globally. The Treaty of Nanking, signed after the Second Battle of Chuenpi in 1841, ceded Hong Kong to the United Kingdom, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s history. Guangzhou lies at the heart of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area, the most densely populated metropolitan region globally. 

Heading south, we land at Hong Kong International Airport (VHHH). Hong Kong, a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, covers a 1,104-square-kilometer (426 sq mi) territory. It is home to 7.4 million residents of diverse nationalities. The colony faced an uncertain future as the New Territories lease approached its end. In 1979, Governor Murray MacLehose engaged in diplomatic negotiations with China, raising the question of Hong Kong’s status. The outcome was the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, in which the United Kingdom agreed to hand over the colony to China in 1997. In return, China guaranteed Hong Kong’s economic and political systems for 50 years post-handover. However, this impending transition triggered a wave of mass emigration. Residents feared an erosion of civil rights, the rule of law, and their overall quality of life. Between 1987 and 1996, over half a million people left the territory. During the final years of colonial rule, the Legislative Council transformed into a fully elected legislature in 1995. It significantly expanded its functions and organizations. Then, at midnight on July 1, 1997, after 156 years of British rule, Hong Kong officially returned to Chinese sovereignty. However, the handover was not without challenges. Hong Kong faced several crises immediately afterward.

Our next stop is Jieyang (ZGOW), and from there, we’ll proceed to the Gaoqi Airport (ZSAM) in Xiamen. Xiamen Island boasts a major international seaport—the Port of Xiamen. As a well-developed first-class trunk line port in the Asia-Pacific region, it ranks as the 7th-largest container port in China and the 13th-largest globally. Notably, it can handle 6th-generation large container ships. On August 31, 2010, Xiamen Port incorporated the neighboring Zhangzhou Port, forming a significant maritime hub in the region. Ever since the 12th century, Xiamen has played a significant role as an origin for migrants heading to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The overseas Chinese community actively supported Xiamen’s educational and cultural institutions.

Just 14 miles southeast lie the Kinmen Islands, which are governed as a county by the Republic of China (Taiwan). These islands are situated 187 km (116 mi) west of Taiwan’s closest shoreline across the Taiwan Strait. The county comprises the major island of Kinmen, along with several surrounding islets. Additionally, Wuqiu Township is located remotely, 133 km (83 mi) northeast of the rest of the county. Kinmen’s strategic position in the Taiwan Strait has led to numerous confrontations, making it a visible symbol of political shifts in Cross-Strait relations. During the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in August 1958, Kinmen experienced heavy bombardment by the People’s Liberation Army. However, travel restrictions between Kinmen and the main island of Taiwan were lifted in 1994 following the end of a decades-long military administration over Kinmen. In January 2001, a direct ferry route connecting Kinmen and Xiamen was inaugurated, marking a significant milestone known as the Three Links. The territorial claims surrounding Kinmen remain complex. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) considers Kinmen part of its own Fujian Province and views Wuqiu as a separate territory within Fujian, distinct from Kinmen itself. Conversely, the Republic of China (ROC) claims the Dadeng Islands (Tateng) as part of Kinmen, even though the PRC has effectively transferred jurisdiction of those islands to Xiamen.

Our next landing takes us to the only airport on the Kinmen Islands (RCBS). Continuing northward, 25 miles away, we reach Jinjiang (ZSQZ). From there, we follow the coast northeast to Fuzhou’s Changle Airport (ZSFZ). Fuzhou has experienced rapid development under the reform and opening policy since the late 1970s. Notably, in 1982, Fuzhou became the first city in China to introduce stored program control—a milestone in the country’s telecommunications history. Subsequently, in 1984, Fuzhou was chosen as the site for China’s first digital telephone exchange.

We turn northeast and reach the Matsu Islands. These islands are an archipelago of 36 islands and islets in the East China Sea governed by the Republic of China (Taiwan), situated alongside the southeastern coast of mainland China. The archipelago forms the smallest county in the ROC-controlled territories by area and population, as well as one of two counties that is a part of the nominal Fuchien Province. The current Lienchiang County of the ROC was once part of an intact Lienchiang County of Fujian before its effective partition in 1949 following the Chinese Civil War, which resulted in the mainland portion of the county being controlled by the People's Republic of China (PRC), while the offshore islands of Matsu remained under ROC control. The circumstance has made the county the only former geographical unit with the same name which is now divided between the administrations of the ROC and the PRC.

There is a long and interesting article about the history of the islands available on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsu_Islands. We overfly the islands, make a low approach over the Beigan Airport (RCMT, which has elevation issues), and finish the flight at the Nangan Airport (RCFG).

The flight plans are available here. 

The flight has 500 miles and 7 landings. We want to be fast, cruising at about 350 knots. Any subsonic jet, a warbird, or a business jet would be possible. I will probably be in the IFE Tornado. As always, please fly what you like. 

There are 8 freeware add-ons available:

https://flightsim.to/file/61369/hong-kong-international-airport-vhhh

https://flightsim.to/file/58094/zsam-china-xiamengaoqiairport

https://flightsim.to/file/57080/zgow-china-jieyangchaoshanairport

https://flightsim.to/file/4331/rcbs-kinmen-airport-taiwan

https://flightsim.to/file/70777/zsqz-quanzhoujinjiang-international-airport

https://flightsim.to/file/55750/zsfz-china-fuzhouchangleairport

https://flightsim.to/file/4154/rcfg-nangan-airport-matsu-taiwan

https://flightsim.to/file/15585/rcmt-beigan-airport-matsu-taiwan (just a low pass) 

The airports of ZGGG, VHHH and ZSAM are available as payware at ORBX.

We try real weather. Please set your simulator for a 10:00 am departure.

  

These flights are events posted at DigitalThemePark and use DTP's Teamspeak Channel for communication.

 

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