Key facts
- Kenya barred delegates from Taiwan from attending an international conference on oceans.
- Taiwan's government stated visas were revoked at the last minute.
- Some Taiwanese participants had their passports and phones confiscated for over 20 hours.
- Taiwan's foreign minister called the action 'absolutely wrong' and a distortion of the 'One China' principle.
- China's foreign ministry commended Kenya for upholding the 'One China' principle.
Kenya barred delegates from Taiwan from attending an international conference on oceans in the east African country, citing pressure from China, Taiwan's government announced. Visas issued to Taiwanese scientists were revoked at the last minute, and some participants had their passports and phones confiscated for over 20 hours, according to Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council (OAC).
Taiwan's foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, stated that Kenyan authorities unilaterally distorted the 'One China' principle, blocking Taiwanese people from attending the 'Our Ocean Conference, 2026' in Mombasa. He called the action 'absolutely wrong' and strongly protested it.