US Criticizes China for Pressuring 3 African Nations; Beijing Urges Adherence to One China Principle
The US criticized China for pressuring three African nations to cancel flight permissions for Taiwan President Lai's trip. China's Foreign Ministry rebutted, calling it interference and urging adherence to the One China principle.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 17:28
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 17:32 (3 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 18:58 (1h 26m after Collected)
(Central News Agency reporter Lu Chia-jung, Beijing, 23rd) The Chinese Communist Party obstructed President Lai Ching-te's visit to the allied nation of Eswatini, and the US State Department accused China of pressuring three African countries. In response, China's Foreign Ministry stated today that it urges the US to abide by the One China principle and the three Sino-US Joint Communiques, and to stop interfering in China's internal affairs using the Taiwan issue.
According to a report by mainland media The Paper, the Chinese Foreign Ministry held a regular press conference this afternoon. Foreign media asked: The US State Department accused China of pressuring three African nations to cancel President Lai's flight clearance. What is China's comment on this?
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the One China principle is a basic norm in international relations and a universal consensus of the international community. "The US pointing fingers at China's legitimate actions to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and leveling accusations against the righteous acts of relevant countries upholding the One China principle, is completely confounding right and wrong and calling black white. China firmly opposes and absolutely rejects this."
Guo Jiakun said that China urges the US to strictly abide by the One China principle and the three Sino-US Joint Communiques, stop using the Taiwan issue to interfere in China's internal affairs, "stop helping Taiwan consolidate diplomatic relations," and stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces.
President Lai originally scheduled to visit Eswatini on the 22nd (Taipei time), but Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar suddenly canceled the special plane's flight clearance, leading to a temporary suspension of the itinerary. China's pressure on third countries to obstruct the Taiwanese head of state's overseas trip has sparked international attention.
The US State Department responded to an inquiry by a Central News Agency reporter on the 22nd, expressing concern over related reports and criticizing specific countries for interfering with the safety of Taiwanese officials' routine overseas trips at China's request; it also urged China to stop pressuring Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150423
According to a report by mainland media The Paper, the Chinese Foreign Ministry held a regular press conference this afternoon. Foreign media asked: The US State Department accused China of pressuring three African nations to cancel President Lai's flight clearance. What is China's comment on this?
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the One China principle is a basic norm in international relations and a universal consensus of the international community. "The US pointing fingers at China's legitimate actions to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and leveling accusations against the righteous acts of relevant countries upholding the One China principle, is completely confounding right and wrong and calling black white. China firmly opposes and absolutely rejects this."
Guo Jiakun said that China urges the US to strictly abide by the One China principle and the three Sino-US Joint Communiques, stop using the Taiwan issue to interfere in China's internal affairs, "stop helping Taiwan consolidate diplomatic relations," and stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces.
President Lai originally scheduled to visit Eswatini on the 22nd (Taipei time), but Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar suddenly canceled the special plane's flight clearance, leading to a temporary suspension of the itinerary. China's pressure on third countries to obstruct the Taiwanese head of state's overseas trip has sparked international attention.
The US State Department responded to an inquiry by a Central News Agency reporter on the 22nd, expressing concern over related reports and criticizing specific countries for interfering with the safety of Taiwanese officials' routine overseas trips at China's request; it also urged China to stop pressuring Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150423