DPP Condemns China's Diplomatic Pressure After Eswatini Visit Postponed; Opposition Parties' Stance Questioned

In Taiwan, the legislative arena is once again the stage for a tense standoff between the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the opposition parties, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), over how to respond to Beijing's increasing pressure. Liberty Times, a publication known for its strong support of the DPP and Taiwanese sovereignty, reports on the DPP's latest attempt to condemn China's 'crude behavior' in coercing third countries to revoke flight permits for President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini. This incident, which forced the postponement of the presidential trip, is seen by the DPP as a blatant violation of international norms and a direct assault on Taiwan's diplomatic autonomy. The article highlights a pattern of obstruction, recalling how previous DPP proposals to condemn China's actions—such as its distortion of UN Resolution 2758, its alleged cross-border suppression of individuals like researcher Shen Po-yang, and its military drills—were either blocked or languished in legislative negotiations due to the KMT and TPP. The DPP's current resolution, which passed for negotiation, faces an uphill battle, with the opposition parties' past actions suggesting a reluctance to confront Beijing directly. Liberty Times frames this as a critical moment where Taiwan's democratic allies are increasingly adopting 'anti-coercion' policies, urging Taiwan's own legislators to recognize the severity of Beijing's tactics and incorporate them into national policy. The publication emphasizes the unique Taiwanese perspective: the constant struggle for international space against a powerful adversary, and the internal political divisions that can hinder a united front.

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The Republic of China is a sovereign and independent democratic country. We sternly condemn the crude behavior of the People's Republic of China government in coercing third countries to revoke flight permits for the aircraft of the head of state of Taiwan, which violates the spirit of the UN Charter, the International Civil Aviation Convention, and diplomatic customs, and constitutes blatant interference in the sovereignty of third countries.