[Politics] Attendance at Ocean Conference Blocked, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Denounces Kenya as China's Political Stooge
bellala 央廣7h agoEdited
The "11th Our Ocean Conference" (OOC 11) was held in Kenya this year. Our scholars were invited to attend but were treated unfriendly by the organizers, which further led to the Ocean Affairs Council canceling its participation in this conference. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (16th) strongly protested and severely condemned China's pressure on the Kenyan government to refuse our scholars' attendance at international marine academic exchange conferences, and its barbaric actions of restricting personal and communication freedom, which violate human rights and international conventions. #Reporter Wang Zhaokun's interview report#
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that our scholars were invited by the host country of this year's "Our Ocean Conference," the Kenyan government, and traveled to the Kenyan city of "Mombasa" on the 14th to attend a pre-conference academic exchange meeting and present professional research reports. However, when the scholars went to the venue to register for entry, they were denied entry passes by the organizers on the grounds of not recognizing our passports. The Kenyan immigration authorities forcibly intervened. Despite our strenuous negotiations, our passports and mobile phones were confiscated, and they were detained for over 20 hours before being allowed to depart by plane.
Due to this sudden situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the Ocean Affairs Council originally planned to form a delegation to participate as usual. However, considering the extremely unfriendly actions of the Kenyan government and the personal safety of the delegation members, our side decided to cancel the participation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that as an indispensable partner in promoting global ocean sustainability, our country has participated in the "Our Ocean Conference" since 2015. In addition to actively promoting international marine affairs exchange and cooperation based on the principles of "professionalism, pragmatism, and contribution," we also encourage academia to participate and share our efforts and research results in marine ecological conservation. Chen Yijun, Deputy Executive Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Public Relations Department, said: "(Original sound) Kenya, as the host country of OOC, willingly became a political stooge for China, openly violating the principles of inclusivity and cooperation advocated by OOC. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly protests this."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the Kenyan government, under strong interference and pressure from China, disregarded our country's years of participation conventions and outstanding contributions, excluded our participation, and even detained our attending scholars. This once again exposes China's barbaric and overbearing diplomatic practices and its political thinking that prioritizes politics over marine sustainability expertise. Chen Yijun said: "(Original sound) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs severely condemns China's suppression of my international participation, which has reached the level of hooliganism, and sternly demands that China cease its barbaric actions that harm global marine affairs cooperation. At the same time, we call on allied countries to pay attention and jointly curb China's escalating bullying diplomacy."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Taiwan, as a maritime nation, has always actively participated in global marine ecological conservation and environmental sustainable development. We will not be intimidated or yield to China's arbitrary and arrogant actions. We will continue to work hand in hand with the international community to promote global marine affairs cooperation.
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=214837
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