China Blocks Polish Delegation's Flight to Korea

A Polish government delegation's visit to Korea has been cancelled because China refused to let it fly through Chinese airspace. 

The delegation was to attend a ceremonial handover of a consignment of Korean weapons to Poland. 

Warsaw recently bought dozens of Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers in addition to Korean tanks, howitzers and fighter jets.

Instead the event takes place via Zoom on Wednesday.

The delegation led by Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak had planned to leave Warsaw for Seoul on Monday but cancelled at the last minute because their request to fly through Chinese airspace was turned down by Beijing right before their departure. 

A roundabout route would have taken too long. 

There was no explanation from Beijing for the tantrum, but Poland is among the most vociferous Eastern European countries and NATO members seeking to increase armaments due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and China seems to be siding with Putin.