President Lai's Trip Suppressed by Beijing, Canadian Cross-Party MPs Speak Out to Support Taiwan
President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini was delayed after African nations abruptly canceled flight permits due to Chinese pressure. Canadian lawmakers across party lines condemned Beijing's coercion and voiced support for Taiwan.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 16:27
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 17:02 (34 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 17:45 (43 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Cheng Ai-fen, Vancouver, 22nd) President Lai Ching-te's planned trip to visit diplomatic ally Eswatini in Africa was hindered by Chinese pressure. Several cross-party Canadian Members of Parliament and Senators took to social media to support Taiwan, criticizing China's pattern of transnational coercion.
President Lai originally planned to fly directly to Eswatini on the 22nd. The itinerary was suspended because Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar—island nations in the Indian Ocean—abruptly canceled the chartered flight's permits without warning. The U.S. Congress, the EU, and diplomatic ally Paraguay have all condemned Beijing for weaponizing aviation safety and using economic coercion in an attempt to isolate democratic partners.
Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman posted on X: 'Taiwan is a thriving democracy of 23 million people, yet Beijing is trying to erase its existence by canceling flight permits. Based on our commitment to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, Canada has recognized polities that maintain democracy under pressure, and should speak out loudly now.'
Liberal MP Judy Sgro, chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade, posted: 'Beijing's actions to obstruct Taiwan's participation in international affairs reflect its pattern of transnational coercion. Democracies must unite to defend dignity and the right to self-determination.'
Senate Opposition Leader Leo Housakos tweeted: 'Taiwan is a free and vibrant democracy that stands firmly with its allies and does not bow to China's bullying. Canada and all democracies should follow suit.'
Senator Michael MacDonald also stated that 'Beijing's coercive behavior is unacceptable.'
Bloc Québécois MPs Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, and Christine Normandin also retweeted posts supporting Taiwan to express their concern over the incident.
Canadian media also paid attention to the incident. An article in the Toronto Sun mentioned that due to Chinese suppression, Taiwan has been kept out of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The article noted that ICAO is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Last September, the Taiwanese government and several cross-party Canadian lawmakers held a press conference in Ottawa, jointly urging ICAO to admit Taiwan as a member to ensure safer global aviation.
The Toronto Sun article mentioned that the Taipei Flight Information Region (Taipei FIR) is one of the busiest air traffic control areas in the world, providing services to 1.64 million flights in 2024.
Radio Canada International (RCI) Chinese website also reported on the cancellation of President Lai's trip suspected of Chinese interference. The article stated: 'This is the first time a Taiwanese president has had to cancel an entire trip due to being denied airspace entry. The incident reflects China's tightening containment of Taiwan's international diplomatic space.'
Representative to Canada Harry Ho-jen Tseng thanked Canada for its attention to the incident and support for Taiwan.
Tseng condemned Beijing for weaponizing civil aviation. He told CNA: 'China's transnational coercion and interference in the sovereignty of other countries is unacceptable to both the ruling and opposition parties in Canada. Many Canadian friends deeply understand Taiwan's achievements in freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, as well as its contributions to international affairs. We thank Canada for supporting Taiwan.' (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150423
(CNA Reporter Cheng Ai-fen, Vancouver, 22nd) President Lai Ching-te's planned trip to visit diplomatic ally Eswatini in Africa was hindered by Chinese pressure. Several cross-party Canadian Members of Parliament and Senators took to social media to support Taiwan, criticizing China's pattern of transnational coercion.
President Lai originally planned to fly directly to Eswatini on the 22nd. The itinerary was suspended because Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar—island nations in the Indian Ocean—abruptly canceled the chartered flight's permits without warning. The U.S. Congress, the EU, and diplomatic ally Paraguay have all condemned Beijing for weaponizing aviation safety and using economic coercion in an attempt to isolate democratic partners.
Conservative Deputy Leader Melissa Lantsman posted on X: 'Taiwan is a thriving democracy of 23 million people, yet Beijing is trying to erase its existence by canceling flight permits. Based on our commitment to freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, Canada has recognized polities that maintain democracy under pressure, and should speak out loudly now.'
Liberal MP Judy Sgro, chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade, posted: 'Beijing's actions to obstruct Taiwan's participation in international affairs reflect its pattern of transnational coercion. Democracies must unite to defend dignity and the right to self-determination.'
Senate Opposition Leader Leo Housakos tweeted: 'Taiwan is a free and vibrant democracy that stands firmly with its allies and does not bow to China's bullying. Canada and all democracies should follow suit.'
Senator Michael MacDonald also stated that 'Beijing's coercive behavior is unacceptable.'
Bloc Québécois MPs Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, and Christine Normandin also retweeted posts supporting Taiwan to express their concern over the incident.
Canadian media also paid attention to the incident. An article in the Toronto Sun mentioned that due to Chinese suppression, Taiwan has been kept out of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The article noted that ICAO is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Last September, the Taiwanese government and several cross-party Canadian lawmakers held a press conference in Ottawa, jointly urging ICAO to admit Taiwan as a member to ensure safer global aviation.
The Toronto Sun article mentioned that the Taipei Flight Information Region (Taipei FIR) is one of the busiest air traffic control areas in the world, providing services to 1.64 million flights in 2024.
Radio Canada International (RCI) Chinese website also reported on the cancellation of President Lai's trip suspected of Chinese interference. The article stated: 'This is the first time a Taiwanese president has had to cancel an entire trip due to being denied airspace entry. The incident reflects China's tightening containment of Taiwan's international diplomatic space.'
Representative to Canada Harry Ho-jen Tseng thanked Canada for its attention to the incident and support for Taiwan.
Tseng condemned Beijing for weaponizing civil aviation. He told CNA: 'China's transnational coercion and interference in the sovereignty of other countries is unacceptable to both the ruling and opposition parties in Canada. Many Canadian friends deeply understand Taiwan's achievements in freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, as well as its contributions to international affairs. We thank Canada for supporting Taiwan.' (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150423