President's Visit to Eswatini Blocked, Executive Yuan: Unacceptable for China to Communicate While Suppressing
President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini was obstructed by Chinese pressure. The Executive Yuan strongly condemned this, stating that it is unacceptable for China to suppress Taiwan's international space while ostensibly calling for bilateral exchanges.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 16:28
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 16:31 (3 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 17:59 (1h 27m after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Reporters Lai Yu-Chen, Kao Hua-Chien, Taipei, 23rd) President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to the African diplomatic ally Eswatini was obstructed due to suppression by China. The Executive Yuan stated today that the government has always supported exchanges with China under conditions of health, order, equal dignity, and no political prerequisites, but it is unacceptable to face a strategy of simultaneous communication and suppression of international space.
Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Hui-Chih said at the post-cabinet meeting press conference today that there is no need to debate that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent nation, and strongly condemned China for continuously intensifying its suppression.
She mentioned that the US State Department issued a statement earlier noting that the obstruction of President Lai's itinerary is yet another example of China intimidating Taiwan and its global supporters, abusing the international civil aviation system, and threatening international peace and prosperity. She hopes that the ruling and opposition parties will stand united so as not to cause unnecessary misunderstandings among international friends who support Taiwan.
Li Hui-Chih said that overseas visits by the head of state have been a long-standing practice conducted in accordance with international norms. This time, China's pressure to interfere with another country's decision-making not only squeezed Taiwan's space for international participation but could also potentially affect the flight safety of the head of state. Such brutal behavior is unparalleled in the international community and seriously undermines regional peace and stability.
When asked by the media whether Taiwan would be less willing to accept China's 10 Taiwan-related measures due to the interference with the visit, Li Hui-Chih said that the government has always supported healthy, orderly, and dignified exchanges without political preconditions, but cannot accept an approach that calls for exchanges while suppressing Taiwan's international space.
The 10 Taiwan-related measures from the Chinese Communist Party include demands for a full resumption of cross-strait direct flights. Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-Kai pointed out at the post-cabinet meeting press conference that regarding cross-strait direct flights, there are currently 15 destinations with a capacity of 420 flights per week. However, there are actually only 310 flights per week. For the remaining available cross-strait routes, 211 flights could be operated weekly, but only 115 are actually flying, with a passenger load factor of about 70%. Furthermore, operators have never requested flights to 13 charter flight destinations. Based on the overall data, the transportation capacity is sufficient. (Editors: Hsieh Chia-Chen) 1150423
Executive Yuan Spokesperson Li Hui-Chih said at the post-cabinet meeting press conference today that there is no need to debate that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent nation, and strongly condemned China for continuously intensifying its suppression.
She mentioned that the US State Department issued a statement earlier noting that the obstruction of President Lai's itinerary is yet another example of China intimidating Taiwan and its global supporters, abusing the international civil aviation system, and threatening international peace and prosperity. She hopes that the ruling and opposition parties will stand united so as not to cause unnecessary misunderstandings among international friends who support Taiwan.
Li Hui-Chih said that overseas visits by the head of state have been a long-standing practice conducted in accordance with international norms. This time, China's pressure to interfere with another country's decision-making not only squeezed Taiwan's space for international participation but could also potentially affect the flight safety of the head of state. Such brutal behavior is unparalleled in the international community and seriously undermines regional peace and stability.
When asked by the media whether Taiwan would be less willing to accept China's 10 Taiwan-related measures due to the interference with the visit, Li Hui-Chih said that the government has always supported healthy, orderly, and dignified exchanges without political preconditions, but cannot accept an approach that calls for exchanges while suppressing Taiwan's international space.
The 10 Taiwan-related measures from the Chinese Communist Party include demands for a full resumption of cross-strait direct flights. Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-Kai pointed out at the post-cabinet meeting press conference that regarding cross-strait direct flights, there are currently 15 destinations with a capacity of 420 flights per week. However, there are actually only 310 flights per week. For the remaining available cross-strait routes, 211 flights could be operated weekly, but only 115 are actually flying, with a passenger load factor of about 70%. Furthermore, operators have never requested flights to 13 charter flight destinations. Based on the overall data, the transportation capacity is sufficient. (Editors: Hsieh Chia-Chen) 1150423