Germany, Czech Republic Reportedly Deny President Lai's Transit; Presidential Office: Beijing Pressure Main Reason
Reports indicate that President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini was thwarted by Chinese pressure, with Germany and the Czech Republic reportedly denying his transit request. Taiwan's Presidential Office spokesperson, Kuo Ya-hui, stated today that the primary cause for the obstruction of the head of state's foreign visit stems from Beijing's pressure, which led to countries previously granting flight permits to revoke them. She also thanked allied nations for their assistance during negotiations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 15:40
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 16:01 (21 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 30, 2026 at 16:09 (7 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Yun-ting, Taipei, 30th) President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini, an African diplomatic ally, was previously obstructed due to Chinese pressure. Foreign media reported that Germany and the Czech Republic refused President Lai's transit application. Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui stated today that the main reason for the obstruction of the head of state's foreign visit came from Beijing's pressure, which led to countries that had already granted flight permits to temporarily revoke them. She also thanked friendly and allied nations for providing assistance during the negotiation process.
Bloomberg, a foreign media outlet, previously reported that President Lai had originally planned to visit Eswatini. However, after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar successively withdrew their flight permits for the presidential plane, Taiwan urgently submitted transit requests to Germany and the Czech Republic, but these were not granted.
In response, Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui reiterated today, while attending the 80th anniversary celebration of Taiwan Power Company, that the primary reason for the head of state's visit being obstructed was pressure from Beijing, which caused three countries that had initially approved flight permits, including Mauritius and Madagascar, to temporarily cancel them.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that many friendly and allied nations provided assistance during the relevant negotiation processes, and the government expresses its sincere gratitude for this. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150430
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(Central News Agency reporter Tseng Yun-ting, Taipei, 30th) President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini, an African diplomatic ally, was previously obstructed due to Chinese pressure. Foreign media reported that Germany and the Czech Republic refused President Lai's transit application. Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui stated today that the main reason for the obstruction of the head of state's foreign visit came from Beijing's pressure, which led to countries that had already granted flight permits to temporarily revoke them. She also thanked friendly and allied nations for providing assistance during the negotiation process.
Bloomberg, a foreign media outlet, previously reported that President Lai had originally planned to visit Eswatini. However, after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar successively withdrew their flight permits for the presidential plane, Taiwan urgently submitted transit requests to Germany and the Czech Republic, but these were not granted.
In response, Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui reiterated today, while attending the 80th anniversary celebration of Taiwan Power Company, that the primary reason for the head of state's visit being obstructed was pressure from Beijing, which caused three countries that had initially approved flight permits, including Mauritius and Madagascar, to temporarily cancel them.
Kuo Ya-hui stated that many friendly and allied nations provided assistance during the relevant negotiation processes, and the government expresses its sincere gratitude for this. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150430
Choose to stand with the facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.