Taiwan president snubbed by South Africa

The government in South Africa said it had refused to let the Taiwanese President, Chen Shui-bian, land on its territory because it did not want to upset China.

A government spokesman confirmed the move was due to diplomatic considerations.

In 1998, South Africa severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which Beijing considers a rebel province, in favour of full relations with China.

President Chen is on a four-nation tour of Africa, which includes a visit to South Africa's neighbour, Swaziland, on Sunday.

The Taiwanese president arrives in Sao Tome today from Senegal where he will spend three days before flying on to Malawi and then Swaziland.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service