US Accuses China of Obstructing President Lai's State Visit; Lin Chia-lung Expresses Sincere Gratitude
The US administration and Congress condemned China for pressuring African nations to obstruct President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed gratitude for the US support.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 18:24
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 18:31 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 23:14 (4h 42m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Wu Shu-wei, Taipei, 24th) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that the US executive branch and Congress have recently expressed concern over the obstruction of President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini, urging China to stop pressuring Taiwan. Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed welcome and gratitude to all sectors in the US and like-minded partners for their continued support of Taiwan, reaffirming that Taiwan has the right to conduct normal diplomatic interactions with allies and international partners.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release in the afternoon expressing sincere gratitude for the timely US voice, clear support for Taiwan, and condemnation of China's behavior of pressuring African countries to interfere with the high-level visits of Taiwanese officials.
The MOFA mentioned that the US State Department spokesperson responded immediately expressing concern, pointing out that relevant countries acted under China's instigation to interfere with the safety and dignity of Taiwanese officials' routine visits. It emphasized that relevant countries manage international airspace within their responsible flight information regions, which far exceeds the sovereign airspace above their territory. The sole purpose of this management responsibility is to ensure aviation safety, not to serve as Beijing's political tool.
The MOFA explained that the US pointed out this is another example of Beijing's continued intimidation against Taiwan and its global supporters, abusing the international civil aviation system and threatening international peace and prosperity. The US also urged Beijing to cease military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan and engage in meaningful dialogue instead. Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Office, also recently reiterated the US State Department's stance.
On the US Congress side, the MOFA stated that bipartisan lawmakers, including leaders of key committees in the Senate and House, also actively spoke up for Taiwan. Senator Jim Risch (R), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, noted the US should not allow China to normalize such behavior; Senator Jeff Merkley (D), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, emphasized that supporting Taiwan's democracy requires firmly opposing Beijing's coercion and bullying.
The MOFA elaborated that Representative Brian Mast (R), Chairman of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee, also condemned China for bullying a close US partner and stated he would stand with Taiwan to counter such blatant threats. Other lawmakers publicly expressing concern included Senator Ted Cruz (R), Senator Pete Ricketts (R), Senator John Curtis (R), Senator Rick Scott (R), Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R), and Representative John Moolenaar (R).
Lin Chia-lung expressed welcome and gratitude to all sectors in the US and like-minded partners for their continued support, reaffirming that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent nation with the right to normal diplomatic interactions.
The MOFA sternly condemned China for using political means to interfere with international civil aviation operations and Taiwan's legitimate diplomatic exchanges, and stated it will continue to interact closely with the US executive branch, Congress, and like-minded partners to jointly safeguard international civil aviation safety and peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region. (Editor: Chang Jo-yao) 1150424
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(CNA Reporter Wu Shu-wei, Taipei, 24th) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that the US executive branch and Congress have recently expressed concern over the obstruction of President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini, urging China to stop pressuring Taiwan. Minister Lin Chia-lung expressed welcome and gratitude to all sectors in the US and like-minded partners for their continued support of Taiwan, reaffirming that Taiwan has the right to conduct normal diplomatic interactions with allies and international partners.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release in the afternoon expressing sincere gratitude for the timely US voice, clear support for Taiwan, and condemnation of China's behavior of pressuring African countries to interfere with the high-level visits of Taiwanese officials.
The MOFA mentioned that the US State Department spokesperson responded immediately expressing concern, pointing out that relevant countries acted under China's instigation to interfere with the safety and dignity of Taiwanese officials' routine visits. It emphasized that relevant countries manage international airspace within their responsible flight information regions, which far exceeds the sovereign airspace above their territory. The sole purpose of this management responsibility is to ensure aviation safety, not to serve as Beijing's political tool.
The MOFA explained that the US pointed out this is another example of Beijing's continued intimidation against Taiwan and its global supporters, abusing the international civil aviation system and threatening international peace and prosperity. The US also urged Beijing to cease military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan and engage in meaningful dialogue instead. Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Office, also recently reiterated the US State Department's stance.
On the US Congress side, the MOFA stated that bipartisan lawmakers, including leaders of key committees in the Senate and House, also actively spoke up for Taiwan. Senator Jim Risch (R), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, noted the US should not allow China to normalize such behavior; Senator Jeff Merkley (D), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, emphasized that supporting Taiwan's democracy requires firmly opposing Beijing's coercion and bullying.
The MOFA elaborated that Representative Brian Mast (R), Chairman of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee, also condemned China for bullying a close US partner and stated he would stand with Taiwan to counter such blatant threats. Other lawmakers publicly expressing concern included Senator Ted Cruz (R), Senator Pete Ricketts (R), Senator John Curtis (R), Senator Rick Scott (R), Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R), and Representative John Moolenaar (R).
Lin Chia-lung expressed welcome and gratitude to all sectors in the US and like-minded partners for their continued support, reaffirming that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent nation with the right to normal diplomatic interactions.
The MOFA sternly condemned China for using political means to interfere with international civil aviation operations and Taiwan's legitimate diplomatic exchanges, and stated it will continue to interact closely with the US executive branch, Congress, and like-minded partners to jointly safeguard international civil aviation safety and peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region. (Editor: Chang Jo-yao) 1150424
Choose to stand with the truth; every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video of this website cannot be reprinted, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.