Omanghana
Taiwan has strongly condemned both China and Kenya after members of its delegation were denied entry to the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa and reportedly detained for nearly 20 hours, prompting Taipei to withdraw its entire delegation over safety concerns.
The incident has heightened tensions between Taiwan and China while raising questions about the participation of Taiwanese representatives in international events hosted by countries that recognize Beijing under the “One China” policy.
Delegates Denied Entry
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Ocean Affairs Council (OAC), the delegation arrived in Kenya to participate in the international conference, which brings together governments, scientists, conservation organizations, and industry leaders to address global ocean governance and marine conservation.
However, Taiwanese officials said the delegates were denied entry upon arrival by Kenyan immigration authorities.
The ministry stated that the delegation’s passports and mobile phones were confiscated, and members were held for approximately 20 hours before being released.
Taiwan described the treatment as unacceptable and said the incident endangered the safety and dignity of its representatives.
Taiwan Withdraws Delegation
Following the detention, Taiwan decided to withdraw its entire delegation from the conference.
Officials said the decision was made to ensure the safety of all participants and to prevent any further escalation during the event.
The Ocean Affairs Council expressed disappointment that Taiwan was unable to contribute to discussions on marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience, and ocean governance despite its longstanding commitment to international environmental cooperation.
Taipei Blames China and Kenya
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused China of exerting political pressure to block Taiwan’s participation in international forums.
According to Taipei, Kenyan authorities acted under pressure from Beijing by preventing Taiwanese officials from attending the conference.
The ministry criticized what it described as efforts to isolate Taiwan from international cooperation and urged the international community to oppose political interference in global scientific and environmental initiatives.
Taiwan also lodged a formal protest with the Kenyan government, calling for an explanation of the actions taken against its delegates.
China-Taiwan Dispute Continues
China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and objects to the island participating in international organizations or conferences in ways that suggest separate statehood.
As a result, Taiwan frequently encounters obstacles when seeking to attend international meetings, particularly in countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Beijing.
Kenya recognizes the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and has maintained close political and economic ties with Beijing for many years.
Impact on International Cooperation
The Our Ocean Conference is one of the world’s leading forums on marine conservation, bringing together governments, international organizations, researchers, and private-sector stakeholders to develop commitments aimed at protecting oceans and promoting sustainable use of marine resources.
Taiwan has been an active contributor to ocean research, fisheries management, marine biodiversity protection, and efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Taiwanese officials argued that excluding qualified participants from global environmental discussions undermines international cooperation on shared challenges that require collaboration across borders.
Taiwan Calls for Fair Participation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to working with the international community on issues related to ocean conservation and sustainable development.
Officials urged governments and international organizations to ensure that scientific cooperation and environmental initiatives remain free from political interference, emphasizing that global challenges such as marine pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss require the participation of all capable partners.
The Taiwanese government also pledged to continue seeking meaningful participation in international forums while protecting the safety and rights of its citizens abroad.
Source: Omanghana
