President Lai Postpones Trip to Eswatini; Legislative Yuan Committee Passes Motion Condemning China's Coercion
President Lai Ching-te's state visit to Eswatini was postponed after African nations revoked flight permits under Chinese pressure. The Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed a motion condemning China's actions.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 13:03
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 13:31 (28 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 21:17 (7h 45m after Collected)
Central News
(CNA Reporter Wu Shu-wei, Taipei, 22nd) President Lai Ching-te was originally scheduled to visit the African ally Eswatini today, but the trip was postponed after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar suddenly canceled the special flight permits. The Foreign and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan passed an ad hoc motion strongly condemning China's brutal actions of coercing third countries to revoke flight-related permits for Taiwan's head of state.
The Foreign and National Defense Committee today reviewed the central government's general budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 regarding the revenue and expenditure under the jurisdiction of the Veterans Affairs Council. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators Chen Kuan-ting, Puma Shen, Wang Ting-yu, Lin Chu-yin, Chen Chun-yu, Lo Mei-ling, and Wang Yi-chuan jointly submitted an ad hoc motion strongly condemning the People's Republic of China's brutal coercion of third countries into revoking the flight permits of Taiwan's head of state.
In his speech, Puma Shen pointed out that China used economic means to force third countries to revoke flight permits. Since granting flight permits is an act of national sovereignty internationally, it is obvious that China directly intervened in sovereign acts. Furthermore, this action violates the principles of sovereign equality and non-intervention in internal affairs under the 'UN Charter', as well as the international civil aviation order and non-discrimination principles established by the 'Chicago Convention'. China should be given the strongest condemnation for creating obstacles and suppressing Taiwan's diplomacy.
Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin said she had no objections to the ad hoc motion itself, stating that it is natural for President Lai to visit allied nations. However, she raised a procedural issue, noting that today's committee meeting was meant to review the Veterans Affairs Council's annual budget, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) officials were not present. She argued that normally, when processing such motions, relevant ministries are asked if the wording needs modification, and MOFA should be allowed to express its opinion.
Lin Chu-yin responded that today's ad hoc motion is not an execution or amendment bill, nor does it ask the executive branch to make improvements. The target of today's condemnation is China, representing the stance of the legislators on the Foreign Affairs Committee. She hoped to demonstrate the legislators' loyalty to the country and the head of state, and their reaction to China's bullying behavior through this motion. The wording is fine, and anyone who thinks there is a problem is maliciously using procedures to prevent the condemnation from seeing the light of day.
Wang Ting-yu stated that when the country faces suppression from China, both ruling and opposition parties should stand united. Regarding China's so-called goodwill, 'we are either too stupid and easily deceived, or we are cooperating to deceive Taiwan.' China's suppression of Taiwan is endless, and since there is precedent for a Taiwanese president visiting Eswatini, China's coercion of the three African countries this time is a typical intervention in other countries' internal affairs.
After discussion among legislators from both the ruling and opposition parties, the meeting chair, Chen Kuan-ting, asked the legislators present if they had any objections to the ad hoc motion. With no objections raised, he announced that the ad hoc motion was passed as proposed. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen)
(CNA Reporter Wu Shu-wei, Taipei, 22nd) President Lai Ching-te was originally scheduled to visit the African ally Eswatini today, but the trip was postponed after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar suddenly canceled the special flight permits. The Foreign and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan passed an ad hoc motion strongly condemning China's brutal actions of coercing third countries to revoke flight-related permits for Taiwan's head of state.
The Foreign and National Defense Committee today reviewed the central government's general budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 regarding the revenue and expenditure under the jurisdiction of the Veterans Affairs Council. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators Chen Kuan-ting, Puma Shen, Wang Ting-yu, Lin Chu-yin, Chen Chun-yu, Lo Mei-ling, and Wang Yi-chuan jointly submitted an ad hoc motion strongly condemning the People's Republic of China's brutal coercion of third countries into revoking the flight permits of Taiwan's head of state.
In his speech, Puma Shen pointed out that China used economic means to force third countries to revoke flight permits. Since granting flight permits is an act of national sovereignty internationally, it is obvious that China directly intervened in sovereign acts. Furthermore, this action violates the principles of sovereign equality and non-intervention in internal affairs under the 'UN Charter', as well as the international civil aviation order and non-discrimination principles established by the 'Chicago Convention'. China should be given the strongest condemnation for creating obstacles and suppressing Taiwan's diplomacy.
Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin said she had no objections to the ad hoc motion itself, stating that it is natural for President Lai to visit allied nations. However, she raised a procedural issue, noting that today's committee meeting was meant to review the Veterans Affairs Council's annual budget, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) officials were not present. She argued that normally, when processing such motions, relevant ministries are asked if the wording needs modification, and MOFA should be allowed to express its opinion.
Lin Chu-yin responded that today's ad hoc motion is not an execution or amendment bill, nor does it ask the executive branch to make improvements. The target of today's condemnation is China, representing the stance of the legislators on the Foreign Affairs Committee. She hoped to demonstrate the legislators' loyalty to the country and the head of state, and their reaction to China's bullying behavior through this motion. The wording is fine, and anyone who thinks there is a problem is maliciously using procedures to prevent the condemnation from seeing the light of day.
Wang Ting-yu stated that when the country faces suppression from China, both ruling and opposition parties should stand united. Regarding China's so-called goodwill, 'we are either too stupid and easily deceived, or we are cooperating to deceive Taiwan.' China's suppression of Taiwan is endless, and since there is precedent for a Taiwanese president visiting Eswatini, China's coercion of the three African countries this time is a typical intervention in other countries' internal affairs.
After discussion among legislators from both the ruling and opposition parties, the meeting chair, Chen Kuan-ting, asked the legislators present if they had any objections to the ad hoc motion. With no objections raised, he announced that the ad hoc motion was passed as proposed. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen)