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ICAO assembly mutes "Taiwan" under Chinese pressure

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The photo shows Paraguayan ambassador to Canada Julio Cesar Arriola Ramirez. (Photo courtesy of embassynews.ca)

ICAO assembly mutes 'Taiwan'

The photo shows Paraguayan ambassador to Canada Julio Cesar Arriola Ramirez. (Photo courtesy of embassynews.ca)

At the triennial International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly held this week, China is exercising its influence in the United Nations to block Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the assembly, citing the “great changes in Taiwan politics.” Even worse, representatives of member nations were said to have been requested to present speech scripts in advance for review and those intending to speak for Taiwan will be “muted,” according to a Taiwan-friendly Paraguayan official.

In a gala dinner held by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada Thursday, the Paraguayan ambassador to Canada Julio Cesar Arriola Ramirez said to a Taipei-based Apple Daily reporter that he was told by his colleagues prior to the event that all member nations were requested to submit scripts ahead of their assembly speeches to the Secretariat, and any speeches mentioning “Taiwan” will be excluded from the agenda.

Asked by the reporter if he has heard of anyone speaking for Taiwan during the assembly, Ramirez replied “no,” adding he felt sorry about that.

A day earlier, a Canadian media outlet allegedly obtained a letter issued by China’s permanent mission to ICAO member nations in which China conveyed its stern opposition to Taiwan’s participation in the 39th ICAO Assembly due to the Democratic Progressive Party not renouncing ‘Taiwan independence’ in its constitution after coming to power, intentionally remaining vague on the fundamental issue of the nature of cross-strait relations, and refusing to recognize the ‘1992 Consensus.’ A day before the launch of the assembly, Taiwanese media reporters were said to have been denied permission to cover the event.