.png){kind=small}
English
Taiwan's Lai postpones Africa visit after China pressure
Taiwan's Lai postpones Africa visit after China pressure
Taiwan's leader, Lai Ching-te, has postponed a visit to Africa this week du[2D[K
due to flight permit cancellations in island nations along the route. The c[1D[K
cancellation was reportedly due to strong pressure from the Chinese authori[7D[K
authorities, including economic coercion.
This comes amid China's campaign of poaching Taiwan's diplomatic allies, of[2D[K
often while financing infrastructure and other projects in less-developed c[1D[K
countries. As a result, Taipei now has diplomatic ties with only 12 countri[7D[K
countries, mostly smaller nations in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the [K
Pacific.
The governments of Mauritius and Seychelles, as well as Madagascar's presid[6D[K
president's office, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ho[2D[K
However, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its high appreciati[10D[K
appreciation for the permits' cancellation, saying it was in compliance wi[2D[K
with international law.
