Taiwan has accused Kenya of preventing its delegates from attending an international oceans conference, alleging that the move was taken under pressure from China amid ongoing diplomatic tensions over Taiwan’s international participation.
The dispute emerged during the 2026 Our Ocean Conference held in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa, where governments, scientists, and civil society organisations gathered to discuss marine conservation and sustainable ocean management.
According to Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council (OAC), visas previously issued to Taiwanese scientists were revoked shortly before the event. The agency also alleged that some delegates had their passports and mobile phones confiscated for more than 20 hours.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the OAC condemned what it described as the “barbaric obstruction” of its representatives from participating in the conference.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, also criticised the actions of Kenyan authorities, accusing them of misapplying the “One China” policy.
“They insisted on unilaterally distorting their so-called interpretation of ‘One China,’ expanding it without limit to the point of blocking our people from attending the meeting,” Lin told reporters in Taipei.
“This is absolutely wrong, and we strongly protest it,” he added.
Kenyan foreign ministry officials and conference organisers had not publicly commented on the allegations at the time of reporting.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, welcomed Kenya’s position and reiterated its support for the “One China” principle.
In a statement, China’s Foreign Ministry described the policy as a fundamental norm of international relations.
“China highly appraises Kenya for resolutely upholding the One China principle,” the ministry said.
The latest incident highlights the continued diplomatic challenges Taiwan faces in participating in international events and organisations due to Beijing’s opposition to any action that could be interpreted as recognising Taiwan as a sovereign state.
Taiwan, however, maintains that it is a self-governing democracy and rejects China’s sovereignty claims over the island.
The Our Ocean Conference is a global platform that brings together policymakers, researchers, environmental groups, and international stakeholders to address pressing ocean-related challenges, including marine pollution, climate change, and sustainable resource management.
The controversy has drawn attention to the intersection of geopolitical tensions and international cooperation, particularly as countries navigate diplomatic relations with both China and Taiwan.
The incident is expected to add to ongoing debates about Taiwan’s participation in global forums, especially those focused on scientific, environmental, and public-interest issues.
