UPDATE 1-Taiwan says HK warned of ongoing danger after S.China Sea flight blocked

(Adds Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department declining comment)
By Ben Blanchard
TAIPEI, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Hong Kong air traffic controllers
told Taiwan there was danger until further notice on a flight
path to Taiwanese-controlled islands in the South China Sea,
Taipei said on Friday, a case that has raised fears Beijing may
try and blockade the islets.
Tensions over the Pratas Islands, in the northern part of
the contested South China Sea, have spiked in recent weeks, with
China carrying out several military exercises near them. The
Pratas are only lightly defended by Chinese-claimed Taiwan.
On Thursday, Taiwan said a regular civilian charter flight
had to abandon its trip to the Pratas when Hong Kong air traffic
controllers told the captain there were "dangerous activities"
happening below 26,000 feet and the aircraft could not enter.
Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department said they had told
Taiwan air traffic controllers of the minimum safe altitude to
be observed for the flight, and that Taiwan had then responded
that they had cancelled the request to enter the Hong Kong
flight information region.
But late on Friday Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration
published a full transcript of the conversation between the air
traffic controllers.
"The danger area is, eh, now on until further notice," the
Hong Kong controller says, declining to answer a question on
whether there were military exercises happening.
Asked whether there was a NOTAM, or "notice to airmen" filed
to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards, the Hong Kong
controller responds: "eh, no".
Then asked whether to confirm they would not allow the
flight in, the Hong Kong controller says: "Affirmative, the
altitude is not safe for danger after Hong Kong at this level".
Finally, when asked when the flight could proceed to the
Pratas Islands, the Hong Kong controller answers: "OK, Hong Kong
is not able to advise right now, we'll let you know".
Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department said it had nothing to
add beyond its initial statement.
The Pratas flights carry mainly Taiwan defence and coast
guard personnel.
Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters on Friday they
were trying to find out whether China was behind the move.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China did not answer
questions submitted by Reuters.
Johnny Chiang, leader of Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang
party, asked on his Facebook page whether China had just
dangerously ramped up the stakes.
"Does this mean that the Communist's military has already
begun joint blockade war operations in addition to regular
exercises and intrusions?"