Taiwan’s decision to withdraw from the 2026 Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Mombasa, Kenya, followed the detention of two Taiwanese delegates who were denied entry to the event. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ocean Affairs Council have condemned the actions of the Kenyan government, attributing the move to diplomatic pressure from Beijing. This incident exemplifies China’s ongoing efforts to limit Taiwan’s engagement on international platforms. Read more
The OOC, a significant global environmental forum first held in 2014, has included Taiwan as an invitee since 2015. This participation ended when, earlier in 2026, the option to register as “Taiwan” was removed from the conference’s application system, leading to visa rejections for some Taiwanese delegates. When delegates arrived in Kenya, their Taiwan passports were not recognized, resulting in their detention for over 20 hours and eventual removal from the country.
Similar incidents have occurred previously, such as when overflight permits were suddenly withdrawn for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s diplomatic visit to Eswatini. Countries such as Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar canceled permits under pressure, delaying the visit. The House Select Committee on China later criticized these actions, highlighting China’s influence, which is often reinforced through economic initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
China’s growing influence over Africa presents complexities in Taiwan’s foreign relations. Many African nations benefit from Chinese investment and projects like the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Taiwan’s only African ally, Eswatini, remains outside these collaborations, illustrating the geopolitical tension at play.
The strategy to marginalize Taiwan on the world stage remains a fixture of Chinese diplomacy. By influencing diplomatic ties and participation in international bodies such as the United Nations, China seeks to affirm its position against Taiwan’s sovereignty. Restraints on Taiwan’s involvement in events like the 2026 OOC underscore these persistent strategies and their implications for international diplomacy.