Taiwanese President Lai Ching‑te announced on Tuesday that he had cancelled his planned trip to Eswatini, citing Chinese pressure on several African nations to block his flight path. Lai was scheduled to attend celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession, but his office said the journey became impossible after three countries revoked overflight permissions.
Presidential Office Secretary‑General Pan Meng‑an told reporters that Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar withdrew flight permits without prior warning. He said the decision came under “intense pressure exerted by Chinese authorities, including economic coercion.”
China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Beijing maintains that Taiwan is a province with no right to independent diplomatic recognition and has built strong economic and political ties across Africa.
Madagascar’s foreign ministry confirmed it denied Lai’s overflight request, saying its diplomacy recognizes only “one China.” Seychelles officials echoed that stance, stressing the decision aligned with longstanding policy.
Lai condemned Beijing’s actions in a Facebook post, calling them “suppressive” and warning they highlight the threat authoritarian states pose to international order and stability. “No threat or suppression can change Taiwan’s determination to engage with the world, nor can it negate Taiwan’s ability to contribute to the international community,” he wrote.
The cancellation marks the first time a Taiwanese president has had to abandon an overseas trip due to Chinese pressure. Normally, Taiwanese leaders face no difficulties overflying countries without formal ties to Taipei. However, Beijing has shown particular hostility toward Lai, labeling him a “separatist.”
A senior Taiwanese security official told Reuters that China threatened economic sanctions, including revoking debt relief, to pressure the three African nations.
The incident underscores China’s growing influence in Africa and its determination to isolate Taiwan diplomatically. Lai’s cancelled trip would have been his first overseas visit since November 2024, when he traveled to Pacific allies and transited through Hawaii and Guam.
