US EditionTaiwan president cancels trip to Eswatini and accuses China of pressuring African countries
Taipei said 3 African countries revoked overflight rights after Chinese pressure, making Lai’s first overseas trip since 2024 impossible, officials said.
- On Tuesday, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te cancelled his planned visit to Eswatini after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked flight permits for his aircraft without warning.
- Eswatini remains one of only 12 countries retaining formal diplomatic ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan. Beijing, which views the self-governing island as its province, has intensified efforts to poach Taiwan's remaining allies.
- Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an confirmed the three nations revoked permits without prior warning. "The actual reason was intense pressure exerted by Chinese authorities, including economic coercion," Pan told a news conference in Taipei.
- Condemning the "suppressive actions" on Facebook, President Lai stated that no threats can negate Taiwan's ability to engage with the international community. China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- This marks the first time a Taiwan president has cancelled an overseas trip due to Chinese pressure. Beijing labels Lai a "separatist," while the president asserts that only Taiwan's people can decide their future.
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Regarding Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's postponement of his African visit after three East African countries revoked his flight permit, a U.S. State Department official stated on the 22nd that it was "a threat campaign by China against Taiwan..."
The Taipei representative office in Milan reports the withdrawal of overflight permits from Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar, which would have prevented the official visit of President Lai Ching-te to Eswatini. In the sights of the pressure of the People's Republic of China.Read more
Taiwan's president has to cancel his trip to Eswatini to the King's anniversary of the throne. Under pressure from China, African countries give way.
Taiwan cancels Eswatini visit after neighbors block airspace
Taiwan’s president canceled a planned visit to Eswatini after three African countries revoked permissions for his aircraft to pass through their airspace, which Taipei said was due to “intense pressure from China.”Lai Ching-te had been scheduled to attend celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s ascension; Eswatini is the only African country with official diplomatic relations with Taipei. But Seychelles, Mauritius, and Mad…
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