BEIJING – Chinese officials on Wednesday publicly commended nations that refused to grant airspace access to Taiwan’s presidential aircraft, stating that adherence to Beijing’s one-China policy represents standard international protocol.
During a routine press briefing in the Chinese capital, a representative from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office thanked countries for their stance and actions in supporting the one-China principle.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te announced Tuesday that he was scrapping his scheduled visit to Eswatini this week. His administration blamed Beijing for lobbying the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar to withdraw previously granted overflight clearances for his presidential plane.
The diplomatic incident highlights ongoing tensions between Beijing and Taipei over Taiwan’s international standing and China’s efforts to limit the island’s diplomatic activities abroad.
