Taiwan’s government is accusing Kenya of blocking its delegates from participating in a major international ocean conference held in the east African nation, saying the decision came under pressure from China.
China considers Taiwan part of its own territory and objects to the island being treated as an independent nation. Taiwan’s government firmly rejects those claims of sovereignty.
According to a statement posted on X by Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council (OAC), visas that had already been granted to Taiwanese scientists were suddenly revoked at the last minute. The agency also reported that some of the would-be attendees had their passports and mobile phones seized by authorities for more than 20 hours.
Kenya’s foreign ministry and the conference organizers did not respond when contacted for comment.
Taiwan’s foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, addressed reporters in Taipei on Wednesday, saying Kenyan authorities had gone far beyond any reasonable interpretation of the ‘One China’ principle. “They insisted on unilaterally distorting their so-called interpretation of ‘One China,’ expanding it without limit to the point of blocking our people from attending the meeting,” he said. “This is absolutely wrong, and we strongly protest it.”
The OAC also issued a sharp rebuke, calling the actions taken against its scientists “barbaric obstruction” that prevented them from taking part in the “Our Ocean Conference, 2026,” which was being held in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa.
China’s foreign ministry, responding to a request for comment from Reuters, described the “One China principle” as a foundational norm of international relations. In a separate statement, it said, “China highly appraises Kenya for resolutely upholding the One China principle.”
The Our Ocean Conference is a gathering that brings together governments, scientists, and civil society organizations to address marine conservation and the sustainable use of ocean resources.
