Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan today (8th) expressed his political views on the relocation of Songshan Airport and plans to build an AI park. Scholars point out that Songshan Airport is the only airport in the capital that is still in operation and is important both diplomatically and militarily. Any plan must have supporting measures. If you can find another small airport in Taipei specifically for the military use of the Air Force Songshan Base Command (Songzhi Branch), you can consider it. If you cannot find it and move it to Taoyuan, it will increase a lot of social costs, and it may not be more convenient.
Shen Mingshi, a scholar at the National Defense Academy, said in an interview that "I think this is very important" about how to find an alternative to the original functions of Songshan Airport, or how to consider if the original functions are higher than the AI park to be planned. He questioned whether it would be necessary to sacrifice Songshan Airport's original routes to outlying islands, special planes of the Ministry of National Defense, or the takeoff and landing of foreign special planes. "If supporting measures and alternatives can be found for these original functions, of course it can."
Shen Mingshi analyzed that the Songzhi Department was first responsible for the special fleet, and the second was the place where military transport aircraft took off and landed. He pointed out that the Ministry of National Defense, the Navy Headquarters, and the Air Force Headquarters are all in Taipei City, and they are also very close to the airport. In the future, when conducting inspections on outer islands or other places, they have to fly to Taoyuan. "That is a very strange thing." Military transport aircraft transport materials and personnel. If the personnel go to Taoyuan, it is equivalent to one more trip, which is very inconvenient.
Shen Mingshi also said that although local governments do not have to think about enemy threats, national defense and military affairs, if they put forward a proposition too hastily that may affect national defense, it will have a very significant impact on Taiwan's security and the convenience of people on the outer islands. If the mayor of Taipei has to sacrifice diplomacy and national defense just because he does not care about foreign affairs and national defense, the central government and local governments should have full discussions or consultations, especially supporting measures.
For example, he said that in the future, if people from Kinmen and Matsu want to fly back, they will not be able to go to Taipei, causing inconvenience to more people. Shen Mingshi bluntly said that this is a bit like Taipei City causing inconvenience to national defense, diplomacy, outlying islands or other counties and cities for its own AI. "This idea is too hasty and not comprehensive enough."
He Chenghui: Songshan Airport will not be restored if it is removed
He Chenghui, deputy secretary-general of the Taiwan Security Association, pointed out that many important diplomatic activities and symbolic visits announced to the outside world, such as the visits of former U.S. House Speaker Pelosi, Chairman of the U.S. Congressional Armed Services Committee, etc., all choose to land at Songshan Airport; Songshan Airport has been an important military airport since the Japanese occupation.
He said that Songshan Airport is a dual-use airport for both military and civilian use. Maintaining operations is equivalent to "one more backup option for the military." Moreover, Songshan Airport is not only for aircraft, but also has its significance for the air defense of the capital area. He believes that the capital's defense circle, which includes air defense and overall defense, needs to be rethought. If such a plan is proposed without supporting facilities, it is open to discussion.
He Chenghui emphasized that whether a balance between municipal development and military security, national defense security and diplomacy can be achieved will probably need to be considered comprehensively, rather than simply releasing the land. "After this is taken away, it will not be restored again." It will be very difficult to build a new airport. He also mentioned that Taiwan and Japan have air routes at Songshan Airport, which is very important for business or tourism exchanges between the two sides. Once the air route is canceled, it will be a permanent or structural change. Alternatives and supporting plans must be evaluated more rigorously to be more appropriate.
