TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Legislative Yuan on Friday approved a motion condemning China’s interference for the visit of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to Eswatini.
Lai had planned to visit Taiwan’s only African ally April 22-27 for the 58th birthday of King Mswati III. However, pressure from China was believed to have led Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Madagascar to revoke overflight permits shortly before his departure from Taiwan.
Lai did succeed in traveling to the landlocked ally May 2-5 on a jet chartered by the king. The DPP caucus at the Legislative Yuan submitted a motion condemning China for its behavior in the case, per CNA.
The motion won unanimous approval from lawmakers Friday. The text voiced support for the president conducting overseas visits. Taiwanese had the right to travel and to have international exchanges, the motion said.
China’s crude pressure on third countries to revoke overflight permits violated the spirit of the UN Charter and of international aviation agreements, according to the document. Beijing’s actions also infringed upon the sovereignty of the countries that originally allowed Lai’s aircraft to pass through their flight zones but later cited safety reasons for banning him, the motion said.
