TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – As Taiwan’s diplomatic allies voiced support for the nation inside the United Nations General Assembly, a ship on the East River carried Taiwanese waving banners past the world body’s headquarters Friday (Sept. 27).

The cruise formed part of a week of action by pro-Taiwan groups, Taiwanese Americans, and Taiwanese students in the United States, per CNA. The participants waved banners reading “Keep Taiwan Free” and expressed their displeasure at Taiwan being blocked from the international organization.

The protest also condemned China’s distortion of UN Resolution 2758. The document, passed in 1971, allowed China to join the UN, but did not mention Taiwan. Beijing has been falsely saying the resolution underscores its claims of sovereignty over Taiwan.

Inside the UN, Taiwan allies including President Santiago Pena Palacios of Paraguay spoke out on behalf of the country’s efforts to join the global community, CNA reported. If there is one country that is not a member of the UN but should be, that is Taiwan, according to Pena.

Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine said Resolution 2758 should not be used as an excuse to exclude Taiwan from the UN and to threaten regional peace and stability. She also criticized the refusal of UN authorities to allow citizens and reporters from Taiwan to attend the body’s activities.