President Lai's Trip Blocked; Cheng Li-wun: Major Diplomatic Setback Should Not Be Taken Lightly
President Lai Ching-te's planned trip to Eswatini was postponed due to third countries canceling airspace permits under Chinese pressure. KMT's Cheng Li-wun heavily criticized the ruling DPP for its cross-strait policies, calling it a major diplomatic failure.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 16:21
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 16:31 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 16:43 (24h 11m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Liu Kuan-ting, Taipei, 22nd) President Lai Ching-te's planned trip to Taiwan's African ally Eswatini was postponed. KMT's Cheng Li-wun stated today that this is a major diplomatic setback that should not be taken lightly. She questioned why the government persists in going its own way with pro-independence policies when the whole world can accept the "1992 Consensus" and does not support Taiwan independence, arguing that the government should reflect on itself rather than blaming others for diplomatic failures.
President Lai was originally scheduled to depart today to visit the African ally Eswatini, but the trip was put on hold after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar suddenly revoked flight clearance for the presidential plane. China's pressure on third countries to obstruct the Taiwanese head of state's travel has drawn international attention.
Speaking at the KMT Central Standing Committee on Wednesday afternoon, Cheng Li-wun said she had previously offered her blessings for the President's trip. Unfortunately, it could not proceed in the end. Even more regrettably, after such an event occurred, the Presidential Office's national security team reacted furiously—either seeking comfort in echo chambers or venting their anger on the opposition parties.
Cheng believes this is a massive diplomatic defeat that cannot be brushed aside. She questioned whether the national security team severely misjudged the situation, whether this was truly an unpredictable emergency on the final day, or if it actually represents the extreme difficulties of the country's overall situation.
Cheng noted that during former President Ma Ying-jeou's tenure, the policy of "diplomatic truce" was advocated, enabling participation in many international organizations and successfully maintaining official diplomatic allies. However, after the transition of power, diplomatic ties ended like an avalanche, backing Taiwan into a corner with no room for retreat. She argued this should be faced and reviewed with a much more serious attitude.
She asked why they couldn't even find a place to land for a transit stop during the trip, questioning if it wasn't a severe error in cross-strait discourse. When national security agencies pointed fingers at the African nations, those nations released statements saying they were strictly adhering to the "One China" policy.
Cheng further stated, "Isn't the Constitution of the Republic of China a 'One China' constitution?" She asked the DPP which country in the world supports Taiwan independence. Since the world can accept the "1992 Consensus" and does not support independence, why does the government persistently go its own way, leading to repeated diplomatic failures and leaving the country struggling to move forward? Sometimes, she said, they should examine themselves instead of blaming others.
As a member of the opposition party, Cheng said she abides by the ROC Constitution and, like the rest of the world, opposes Taiwan independence. While cross-strait relations are at a precarious brink of war, she has taken the brave first step toward peace. She doesn't expect encouragement, support, or understanding from the government, but she also does not want to see diplomacy facing such a predicament. As the ruling party, she asked, shouldn't they think more calmly, maturely, and responsibly about what deviations exist in national policy and whether "resisting China" truly protects Taiwan?
Cheng concluded that when the DPP encounters setbacks, instead of reflecting on themselves, they vent their anger on the KMT and bully the opposition. However, they should not make enemies out of Taiwan's development and the people's well-being, and should humbly listen to the voices of the industry. (Editors: Hsieh Chia-chen, Chai Sze-chia)
(CNA Reporter Liu Kuan-ting, Taipei, 22nd) President Lai Ching-te's planned trip to Taiwan's African ally Eswatini was postponed. KMT's Cheng Li-wun stated today that this is a major diplomatic setback that should not be taken lightly. She questioned why the government persists in going its own way with pro-independence policies when the whole world can accept the "1992 Consensus" and does not support Taiwan independence, arguing that the government should reflect on itself rather than blaming others for diplomatic failures.
President Lai was originally scheduled to depart today to visit the African ally Eswatini, but the trip was put on hold after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar suddenly revoked flight clearance for the presidential plane. China's pressure on third countries to obstruct the Taiwanese head of state's travel has drawn international attention.
Speaking at the KMT Central Standing Committee on Wednesday afternoon, Cheng Li-wun said she had previously offered her blessings for the President's trip. Unfortunately, it could not proceed in the end. Even more regrettably, after such an event occurred, the Presidential Office's national security team reacted furiously—either seeking comfort in echo chambers or venting their anger on the opposition parties.
Cheng believes this is a massive diplomatic defeat that cannot be brushed aside. She questioned whether the national security team severely misjudged the situation, whether this was truly an unpredictable emergency on the final day, or if it actually represents the extreme difficulties of the country's overall situation.
Cheng noted that during former President Ma Ying-jeou's tenure, the policy of "diplomatic truce" was advocated, enabling participation in many international organizations and successfully maintaining official diplomatic allies. However, after the transition of power, diplomatic ties ended like an avalanche, backing Taiwan into a corner with no room for retreat. She argued this should be faced and reviewed with a much more serious attitude.
She asked why they couldn't even find a place to land for a transit stop during the trip, questioning if it wasn't a severe error in cross-strait discourse. When national security agencies pointed fingers at the African nations, those nations released statements saying they were strictly adhering to the "One China" policy.
Cheng further stated, "Isn't the Constitution of the Republic of China a 'One China' constitution?" She asked the DPP which country in the world supports Taiwan independence. Since the world can accept the "1992 Consensus" and does not support independence, why does the government persistently go its own way, leading to repeated diplomatic failures and leaving the country struggling to move forward? Sometimes, she said, they should examine themselves instead of blaming others.
As a member of the opposition party, Cheng said she abides by the ROC Constitution and, like the rest of the world, opposes Taiwan independence. While cross-strait relations are at a precarious brink of war, she has taken the brave first step toward peace. She doesn't expect encouragement, support, or understanding from the government, but she also does not want to see diplomacy facing such a predicament. As the ruling party, she asked, shouldn't they think more calmly, maturely, and responsibly about what deviations exist in national policy and whether "resisting China" truly protects Taiwan?
Cheng concluded that when the DPP encounters setbacks, instead of reflecting on themselves, they vent their anger on the KMT and bully the opposition. However, they should not make enemies out of Taiwan's development and the people's well-being, and should humbly listen to the voices of the industry. (Editors: Hsieh Chia-chen, Chai Sze-chia)