Three delegates from Taiwan were unable to attend the Global Summit for Women which took place in Marrakech, Morroco because they were denied entry into the country. Four Taiwanese delegates received invitations from the Summit (which is considered an NGO meeting) and all received valid visas from the Moroccan counselate in Hong Kong. When the four arrived, they were not allowed to enter the country. All were stranded at the airport for twelve hours before boarding a flight out of the country.
One, who also holds an American passport was able to enter the country after obtaining a visa in her American passport. Organizers of the meeting expressed surprise when learning of this incident.
It is clear that Beijing is behind this event. It was learned that the Beijing embassy in Rabat put pressure on Moroccan authorities to deny the entry. Someone also cancelled the hotel reservations. Such bullying from Beijing must end and the civilized world should help the peaceful people of Taiwan to emerge from such bullying.
An article from the Taipei Times