President's Foreign Visit Postponed Due to Chinese Interference; Executive Yuan: Ruling and Opposition Parties Should Unanimously Condemn
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini was postponed due to Chinese interference. The Executive Yuan emphasized that ruling and opposition parties should unanimously condemn China's escalating pressure.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 20:39
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 21:02 (22 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 21:09 (7 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, 21st) The Presidential Office announced late tonight that President Lai Ching-te's scheduled visit to the African ally Kingdom of Eswatini on the 22nd has been postponed due to Chinese interference. The Executive Yuan stated that at a time when Chinese authorities are continuously escalating their suppression, the ruling and opposition parties should jointly and unanimously express their condemnation, and the public should also unite to firmly support Taiwan's expansion of international space.
Premier Cho Jung-tai also stated on Facebook that China's crude suppression of Taiwan's international space will only block channels for bilateral exchanges, and if it repeatedly claims to uphold the 'One China' principle globally, it will give China more excuses. He further emphasized that "if you bend your knees, you can't lift your head; if you lie flat, you can't walk out."
The Presidential Office held an impromptu press conference tonight. Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an read a statement from the Presidential Office, pointing out that the three countries of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, which were on President Lai's special plane route, temporarily canceled flight permits. After considering the safety of the head of state and the delegation's flight safety, it was decided to postpone the trip. President Lai will instead dispatch a special envoy to attend Eswatini's dual celebration events.
Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih stated through a media group that the Chinese authorities, using economic coercion and other means, pressured third countries to change their sovereign decisions, thereby canceling President Lai's special plane flight permits. The Executive Yuan strongly condemns the Chinese authorities' brutal actions.
Li Hui-chih pointed out that heads of state visits have been conducted for many years, and relevant practices are handled in accordance with international conventions. This time, the Chinese authorities' pressure and interference with other countries' decisions not only continue to suppress Taiwan's international participation space but also affect the flight safety of the head of state. Such brutal actions are not only unique in the international community but also severely undermine regional peace and stability.
Li Hui-chih emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign state and has the right to go out into the world, a right that cannot be denied or obstructed by any country. As Chinese authorities continuously escalate their suppression, at this moment, the ruling and opposition parties should jointly and unanimously express their condemnation, and the public should also unite to firmly support Taiwan's expansion of international space and continue to move towards the world. (Editor: Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150421
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(Central News Agency reporter Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, 21st) The Presidential Office announced late tonight that President Lai Ching-te's scheduled visit to the African ally Kingdom of Eswatini on the 22nd has been postponed due to Chinese interference. The Executive Yuan stated that at a time when Chinese authorities are continuously escalating their suppression, the ruling and opposition parties should jointly and unanimously express their condemnation, and the public should also unite to firmly support Taiwan's expansion of international space.
Premier Cho Jung-tai also stated on Facebook that China's crude suppression of Taiwan's international space will only block channels for bilateral exchanges, and if it repeatedly claims to uphold the 'One China' principle globally, it will give China more excuses. He further emphasized that "if you bend your knees, you can't lift your head; if you lie flat, you can't walk out."
The Presidential Office held an impromptu press conference tonight. Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an read a statement from the Presidential Office, pointing out that the three countries of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, which were on President Lai's special plane route, temporarily canceled flight permits. After considering the safety of the head of state and the delegation's flight safety, it was decided to postpone the trip. President Lai will instead dispatch a special envoy to attend Eswatini's dual celebration events.
Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih stated through a media group that the Chinese authorities, using economic coercion and other means, pressured third countries to change their sovereign decisions, thereby canceling President Lai's special plane flight permits. The Executive Yuan strongly condemns the Chinese authorities' brutal actions.
Li Hui-chih pointed out that heads of state visits have been conducted for many years, and relevant practices are handled in accordance with international conventions. This time, the Chinese authorities' pressure and interference with other countries' decisions not only continue to suppress Taiwan's international participation space but also affect the flight safety of the head of state. Such brutal actions are not only unique in the international community but also severely undermine regional peace and stability.
Li Hui-chih emphasized that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign state and has the right to go out into the world, a right that cannot be denied or obstructed by any country. As Chinese authorities continuously escalate their suppression, at this moment, the ruling and opposition parties should jointly and unanimously express their condemnation, and the public should also unite to firmly support Taiwan's expansion of international space and continue to move towards the world. (Editor: Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150421
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.