Taipei/Beijing, Apr 22 (EFE).- Taiwan on Wednesday expressed its “strong protest” against Seychelles and Madagascar, two of the three African countries that denied Taiwanese President William Lai air transit rights for his planned trip to Eswatini, for “distorted statements that align themselves with China, challenging general international practice and flight safety.”
The Taiwanese Presidential Office announced on Tuesday the suspension of Lai’s visit to Eswatini, Taipei’s last remaining diplomatic ally in Africa, because Seychelles, Madagascar, and Mauritius canceled “unexpectedly and without justification” the overflight permits for the presidential plane. It cited “economic coercion” and an “unprecedented” move by Chinese authorities.
“The Seychelles and Madagascar ministries’ explanations for their unusually sudden withdrawal of overflight permits—namely, their non-recognition of Taiwan’s sovereignty and adherence to the ‘One China Principle’—fully demonstrate that China was the mastermind behind this incident,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said in a statement.
The One China Principle is one of the cornerstones of Beijing’s foreign policy and is based on three tenets: that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an «inalienable part» of Chinese territory, and that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government representing all of China.
However, many countries, including the US and several European states, maintain their own One China Principle whereby they recognize the People’s Republic as the only legitimate government of China, but avoid explicitly stating their position on Taiwan’s sovereign status.
«The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent democratic country, independent of the People’s Republic of China. Any attempt to denigrate Taiwan’s sovereign status cannot change the internationally recognized objective status quo across the Taiwan Strait,» the foreign ministry statement said.
Lai emphasized Tuesday night on Facebook that China’s alleged pressure against these three African countries «hurts the feelings of the Taiwanese people.»
«No threat or suppression can change Taiwan’s determination to engage with the world, nor can it negate Taiwan’s ability to contribute to the international community,» the leader stated.
Meanwhile, China on Wednesday welcomed the decisions not to authorize the overflight of Lai’s plane.
At a press conference, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council (China’s executive branch), said that Beijing «appreciate(s) the position and practices of relevant countries in adhering to the One China principle.»
«Those who act justly gain widespread support, while those who act unjustly find themselves isolated,» Zhang said, claiming that the episode again demonstrates that the principle constitutes a «fundamental norm of international relations and a universal consensus of the international community.”
In a statement on X, the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee wrote on Tuesday: «Yet again, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is trying to bully Taiwan, a close partner of the United States. We stand with Taiwan against this blatant coercion.”
The US Select Committee on China also expressed support for Taipei.
“We condemn China’s efforts to block travel by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te by pressuring other nations to deny overflight clearance. This is not diplomacy; it is economic pressure aimed at isolating a democratic partner. The United States stands with Taiwan and supports its right to engage freely with the international community,» it wrote.
This trip was to be Lai’s second international visit since taking office in May 2024 and was destined for Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), where he was scheduled to participate in official events alongside King Mswati III to mark the 40th anniversary of his enthronement.
In July of last year, Lai was also forced to cancel a trip to Paraguay, Belize, and Guatemala after the White House refused to authorize a stopover in the US, according to international media outlets such as the Financial Times, although Taipei did not publicly announce the visit on that occasion.
Taiwan, which currently has diplomatic recognition from only 12 states, attaches great importance to these types of visits given the growing pressure from China, which has restricted the island’s international participation in recent years. EFE
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