Taiwan had been scheduled to participate in the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC) in Mombasa, Kenya, but encountered unprecedented obstacles before the event.
Several invited Taiwanese scholars and government officials were not only denied conference credentials but also had their passports and mobile phones confiscated by Kenyan immigration authorities for more than 20 hours, prompting a strong protest from the Taiwanese government, CNA reported.
On June 16, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the incident was primarily the result of pressure exerted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on the Kenyan government, which hosted the conference. According to the Taipei Times, the ministry strongly condemned the CCP for obstructing Taiwan’s participation in international cooperation on ocean affairs.
According to the ministry, the Taiwanese scholars traveled to Kenya at the invitation of the host country to take part in scientific exchange activities held ahead of the conference and to present their research. However, upon arriving at the venue to register, they were denied entry credentials by conference organizers, who reportedly stated that they “do not recognize Taiwanese passports.”
Kenyan immigration authorities then intervened, confiscating the scholars’ passports and mobile phones and restricting their freedom of movement and communication for more than 20 hours. Ultimately, the individuals were permitted only to board flights and leave the country.
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A change in Kenya’s approach
In a Facebook post, Kuan Bi-ling, Chairperson of Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, said that Taiwan’s delegation has participated in the Our Ocean Conference for many years and has consistently presented tangible achievements in areas such as marine conservation, ocean governance, and international cooperation, earning recognition from the international community.
She noted that this year, however, several unprecedented developments occurred: the Taiwan option disappeared from the conference registration system, previously approved electronic travel authorizations (ETAs) were revoked, and some members of the delegation were denied entry into Kenya. According to Kuan, these developments indicate a significant shift in the host country’s approach toward Taiwan.
Kuan Bi-ling said that Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council had originally approached the conference in good faith and remained committed to participating. The council had even received an invitation from the organizers to set up an exhibition booth showcasing Taiwan’s achievements in ocean governance, and accordingly continued its preparations while arranging a number of bilateral meetings and exchange activities.
However, after representatives from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the academic community were subjected to what she described as unreasonable treatment at the venue, it became clear that the situation went beyond ordinary administrative or procedural issues. Instead, she said, the incident clearly bore the hallmarks of politically motivated suppression.
Kuan emphasized that international cooperation should be built on the principles of transparency, fairness, and mutual trust. If participants who have consistently complied with established rules and made meaningful contributions can be excluded, detained, or subjected to discriminatory treatment without clear justification, she said, the damage extends beyond Taiwan’s interests to the credibility of the entire international cooperation framework.
In a press release, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) further stated that the Ocean Affairs Council had originally planned to send a delegation to the conference, as it had done in previous years. However, in light of what it described as the Kenyan government’s unfriendly actions and concerns for the personal safety of delegation members, Taiwan ultimately decided to cancel its participation in this year’s conference.
The ministry criticized China for pressuring Kenya to prevent Taiwanese scholars from attending an international marine science exchange, arguing that such actions seriously violate human rights and international norms and amount to using political pressure to interfere with global cooperation on ocean governance.
China’s attempts at shrinking Taiwan’s global space
MOFA also stressed that China has in recent years continued to use diplomatic and political means to shrink Taiwan’s international space. According to the ministry, this incident represents not only an effort to suppress Taiwan’s professional participation in international affairs but also undermines global cooperation in addressing shared challenges such as marine conservation, climate change, and sustainable development.
The ministry said the Taiwanese government will continue to explain the circumstances of the incident to the international community, seek support from like-minded countries, and safeguard Taiwan’s right to participate in international affairs.
Addressing the controversy, Kuan said that Taiwan’s participation in international affairs is not intended to create confrontation, but rather to contribute its professional expertise and practical experience to help solve global challenges. She added that despite facing unfair treatment and political pressure, Taiwan will continue to pursue opportunities for international participation and will not be deterred.
