Taiwan Claims China Involved in Brief Pakistan Airspace Ban - ProPakistani

Taiwan says China first tried to block its president’s flight to Africa by getting countries to deny airspace rights, and suspects Beijing used the same tactic when Pakistan briefly closed its airspace to Taiwanese airlines.

Taiwan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi said Pakistan’s move was “not actually the first time” airspace had been used against Taiwan.

Several months ago, he said, President Lai Ching-te’s state visit to Eswatini in Africa was blocked when Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles denied overflight rights to his flight. Chen made the remarks in an interview with Bloomberg TV.

Chen said Taiwan suspects China was behind Pakistan’s decision, though he did not provide any evidence for the claim.

He said the move “sent a very dangerous message around the world” that China could use its leverage over a country such as Pakistan to deny Taiwan access to airspace. He called it “a very dangerous development” for the freedom of flight.

China’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Taiwanese carriers China Airlines and EVA Air stopped flying over Pakistan from October 25 and were forced to reroute flights between Asia and Europe, including over Russia.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has since allowed both airlines to use its airspace until late March next year. The first Taiwanese commercial flight crossed Pakistani airspace again on Thursday morning.

Pakistan is the first country to impose such restrictions on all Taiwanese carriers. Its initial decision to close its airspace came in line with Islamabad’s close ties with Beijing.

Taiwan has also said it will work closely with the United States and other countries on the airspace issue.

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