U.S. senators question China's restrictions on Taiwan's presidential plane's flight path, and the nominee for ambassador to Madagascar admits that revoking the permit harms Madagascar's sovereignty

U.S. Senator Duckworth pointed out at the State Department's confirmation hearing for envoys abroad that China's bullying tactics of restricting the air routes of President Lai's plane endanger international passengers. Dillard, the appointed U.S. ambassador to Madagascar, responded that revoking the overflight permission clearly undermines Madagascar’s sovereignty and foreign policy decisions.

President Lai Ching-te visited Eswatini, a friendly African country, in early May. The scheduled trip at the end of April was postponed due to the sudden cancellation of charter flight permissions by the East African island countries of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

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On September 30, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth questioned Marc Dillard, the current deputy ambassador to South Africa and appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros, about China’s weaponization of aviation during the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee’s nomination hearing for U.S. envoys abroad.

Duckworth pointed out that China's bullying of other countries by restricting the air routes of Taiwan's presidential plane will endanger all international travelers. If (China) does not provide an explanation, it is difficult not to think that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s next target will be flights carrying ordinary passengers or transporting key supplies to Taipei, Manila or other capitals.

She questioned that the United States must press regional partners to follow international rules. China violates rules and suppresses democratically elected U.S. partners, especially Taiwan, and the United States must express its opposition.

Dillard responded that he understood that Madagascar's decision to revoke its overflight permission restricted the Taiwanese president's special plane. However, revoking (permitting) is a provocative tactic that Beijing has used in the past in the region.

He said he believed the incident had clearly damaged Madagascar's sovereignty and foreign policy decisions. As for related possible scenarios, if the appointment is confirmed, there will be constructive interaction with the Madagascar government to discuss the risks of maintaining relations with China, but on the contrary, if there is an opportunity to cooperate with the United States, the advantages of becoming a trusted partner.

Duckworth issued a press release stating that China is pressuring many African countries to violate international laws, regulations and aviation safety standards, and is eager to isolate Taiwan. It is urgent for the United States to support Taiwan.