Lai Ching-te Postpones Visit To Seychelles Due To Flight Restrictions

Pan Meng-an, Secretary-General of the Office of Lai Ching-te, announced the cancellation of flight permissions for Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's planned transit through Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar. The political impact of the flight cancellations is being assessed as the international community increasingly supports the One China principle. The decision follows his attempts to visit African nations. Kuomintang Chairperson Cheng Li-wen stated on April 22 that the Lai administration should conduct a self-examination regarding these diplomatic setbacks. The move is viewed by some observers as a reinforcement of the One China principle in international relations. The refusal is viewed by some as a consequence of the administration's pursuit of diplomatic recognition. Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te postponed a planned visit to Seychelles originally scheduled for April 22 to 26.