A statement and remarks made respectively by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China and the EU April 21 condemning Chinese interference with President Lai Ching-te’s upcoming Eswatini visit and supporting safe international civil aviation is deeply appreciated by Taiwan’s government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said April 22.
The statement and remarks were in response to Chinese coercion that resulted in the revoking of overflight permits for Lai’s route to Eswatini by the governments of Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar.
According to the IPAC, China’s move reveals a relentless drive to isolate Taiwan, now extending to an attempt to control the skies. As leader of a democratic country, Lai must be free to engage with partners without interference, the IPAC said, adding that it is not for Beijing to determine other countries’ foreign policies.
An EU spokesperson said in response to Taiwan’s Central News Agency that the EU attaches great importance to maintaining safe, orderly and predictable operations of international civil aviation under the Chicago Convention. It added that overflight rights are a cornerstone of international civil aviation, and predictability and neutrality in airspace management are critical to safety, commerce and diplomacy.
Although countries exercise sovereignty over their airspace, such decisions should be made in a transparent and predictable manner, with aviation safety and operational stability as priorities, the EEAS said, adding that they should not be taken to achieve political objectives.
The MOFA said that Lai’s visit is a legitimate diplomatic action to deepen bilateral relations and promote cooperation. China’s use of political pressure to influence other countries’ airspace management undermines regional aviation safety and normal diplomatic exchanges, the ministry added.
As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan abides by international standards and strongly condemns China’s actions, the MOFA said, adding that the country will continue to deepen collaboration with EU and other like-minded partners to protect the rules-based international order and ensure a safe, open and predictable environment for both diplomatic relations and international aviation. (YCH-E)
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The statement and remarks were in response to Chinese coercion that resulted in the revoking of overflight permits for Lai’s route to Eswatini by the governments of Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar.
According to the IPAC, China’s move reveals a relentless drive to isolate Taiwan, now extending to an attempt to control the skies. As leader of a democratic country, Lai must be free to engage with partners without interference, the IPAC said, adding that it is not for Beijing to determine other countries’ foreign policies.
An EU spokesperson said in response to Taiwan’s Central News Agency that the EU attaches great importance to maintaining safe, orderly and predictable operations of international civil aviation under the Chicago Convention. It added that overflight rights are a cornerstone of international civil aviation, and predictability and neutrality in airspace management are critical to safety, commerce and diplomacy.
Although countries exercise sovereignty over their airspace, such decisions should be made in a transparent and predictable manner, with aviation safety and operational stability as priorities, the EEAS said, adding that they should not be taken to achieve political objectives.
The MOFA said that Lai’s visit is a legitimate diplomatic action to deepen bilateral relations and promote cooperation. China’s use of political pressure to influence other countries’ airspace management undermines regional aviation safety and normal diplomatic exchanges, the ministry added.
As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan abides by international standards and strongly condemns China’s actions, the MOFA said, adding that the country will continue to deepen collaboration with EU and other like-minded partners to protect the rules-based international order and ensure a safe, open and predictable environment for both diplomatic relations and international aviation. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
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