Africa-Press. The Taiwanese government announced that Kenya has barred its delegates from attending an international ocean conference being held in the East African nation, under pressure from China.
The Ocean Affairs Council, a Taiwanese government agency, stated in a release on social media that the visas of Taiwanese scientists were revoked at the last minute, adding that passports and phones of some participants were confiscated for over 20 hours.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, told reporters in Taipei: “Kenyan authorities insisted on distorting their interpretation of the ‘One China’ principle unilaterally and extending it to the extent of preventing our people from attending the meeting.” He added: “This is a grave error, and we strongly object to it.”
A statement from the organization “Our Ocean” condemned what it described as the “brutal obstruction” that prevented its scientists from participating in the “Our Ocean 2026” conference in the Kenyan port of Mombasa.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated to a local source that the “One China” principle is the fundamental basis of international relations. In a separate statement, it added: “China commends Kenya for its firm commitment to the One China principle.” The “Our Ocean” conference brings together governments, scientists, and civil society organizations to discuss marine environmental protection and sustainable use of the oceans.
