President's Trip Hindered; Italian Parliamentary Friendship Association: Authoritarian Regimes Should Not Intimidate Taiwan
President Lai Ching-te's trip to diplomatic ally Eswatini in Africa was delayed due to Chinese pressure. The Italian Parliamentary Friendship Association with Taiwan issued a statement in full solidarity, emphasizing that democracies should not be isolated.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 23:41
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 00:02 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 05:09 (5h 7m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Correspondent Huang Ya-shih, Rome, 22nd) President Lai Ching-te's trip to the Kingdom of Eswatini, an ally in Africa, has been suspended due to suppression from China. The Italian Parliamentary Friendship Association with Taiwan issued a statement today in full support of Taiwan, emphasizing that no authoritarian regime should intimidate or isolate a democratic entity like Taiwan, and the international community should not turn a blind eye to such intimidation.
Senator Lucio Malan, Chairman of the Italian Parliamentary Friendship Association, along with Co-chairman Senator Adriano Paroli and Vice-chairwoman Representative Silvana Andreina Comaroli, jointly issued a pro-Taiwan statement today, emphasizing that they will stand firmly in solidarity with the people of Taiwan, stating 'democracy allows no compromise'.
The leadership of the Italian Parliamentary Friendship Association expressed their firm support and full solidarity with the Taiwanese authorities and people regarding the sudden suspension of President Lai's visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The statement pointed out that the trip was originally scheduled to take place from April 22 to 26, aiming to visit the Kingdom of Eswatini, Taiwan's diplomatic ally in Africa. Because Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar canceled the special flight permits, the trip was forced to a sudden halt. This action, taken without warning just hours before departure, is likely the result of unacceptable external pressure.
The statement emphasized that facing such attempts to intimidate a nation built on values of freedom, mutual respect, and dialogue, the international community must not turn a blind eye. No authoritarian regime has the right to intimidate or attempt to isolate a vibrant democracy like Taiwan.
The Italian pro-Taiwan lawmakers emphasized, 'We have always stood, are standing, and will always stand with those who choose freedom and democracy.'
Italian Senator Cinzia Pellegrino, who visited Taiwan last September, also noted in a Facebook post that the suspension of President Lai's itinerary to Eswatini was mainly due to the sudden revocation of airspace overflight permits by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar. This represents international pressure from China and is an event that cannot be ignored.
Pellegrino pointed out that obviously, this is an attempt to compress Taiwan's international diplomatic space through external interference. Such behavior challenges basic principles including freedom of navigation, mutual respect among nations, and the autonomy of international relations. She concluded her post by expressing solidarity with President Lai, emphasizing that she will always stand on the side of freedom.
(CNA Correspondent Huang Ya-shih, Rome, 22nd) President Lai Ching-te's trip to the Kingdom of Eswatini, an ally in Africa, has been suspended due to suppression from China. The Italian Parliamentary Friendship Association with Taiwan issued a statement today in full support of Taiwan, emphasizing that no authoritarian regime should intimidate or isolate a democratic entity like Taiwan, and the international community should not turn a blind eye to such intimidation.
Senator Lucio Malan, Chairman of the Italian Parliamentary Friendship Association, along with Co-chairman Senator Adriano Paroli and Vice-chairwoman Representative Silvana Andreina Comaroli, jointly issued a pro-Taiwan statement today, emphasizing that they will stand firmly in solidarity with the people of Taiwan, stating 'democracy allows no compromise'.
The leadership of the Italian Parliamentary Friendship Association expressed their firm support and full solidarity with the Taiwanese authorities and people regarding the sudden suspension of President Lai's visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The statement pointed out that the trip was originally scheduled to take place from April 22 to 26, aiming to visit the Kingdom of Eswatini, Taiwan's diplomatic ally in Africa. Because Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar canceled the special flight permits, the trip was forced to a sudden halt. This action, taken without warning just hours before departure, is likely the result of unacceptable external pressure.
The statement emphasized that facing such attempts to intimidate a nation built on values of freedom, mutual respect, and dialogue, the international community must not turn a blind eye. No authoritarian regime has the right to intimidate or attempt to isolate a vibrant democracy like Taiwan.
The Italian pro-Taiwan lawmakers emphasized, 'We have always stood, are standing, and will always stand with those who choose freedom and democracy.'
Italian Senator Cinzia Pellegrino, who visited Taiwan last September, also noted in a Facebook post that the suspension of President Lai's itinerary to Eswatini was mainly due to the sudden revocation of airspace overflight permits by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar. This represents international pressure from China and is an event that cannot be ignored.
Pellegrino pointed out that obviously, this is an attempt to compress Taiwan's international diplomatic space through external interference. Such behavior challenges basic principles including freedom of navigation, mutual respect among nations, and the autonomy of international relations. She concluded her post by expressing solidarity with President Lai, emphasizing that she will always stand on the side of freedom.