Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has cancelled a trip to the southern African nation of Eswatini, accusing China of putting pressure on other countries to bar his aircraft from flying over their territories.
Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked Lai's flight permits after 'intense pressure' and economic coercion from China, said a Taiwan official. China denied coercion, appreciating the three Indian Ocean nations.
This is the first publicly known instance where Taiwan's leader has had to cancel a trip due to revoked flight permits.
Eswatini is one of 12 nations that are diplomatic allies of Taiwan and the only one in Africa.
According to news agency Reuters, Seychelles and Madagascar indicated they took the decision because they do not recognize Taiwan.
Taiwanese officials claimed the three countries revoked the flight permits 'unexpectedly and without prior notice'.
China adheres to the 'one China' principle in which Beijing asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, despite many in Taiwan considering themselves a sovereign nation.
Beijing perceives the self-governing island as a breakaway province destined to become part of China, with the possibility of using force to achieve this.
The Chinese government has frequently expressed its disdain for Lai, labeling him a 'troublemaker' and a 'destroyer of cross-strait peace.'
In a statement on X, Lai denounced China's 'coercive actions' as a demonstration of the threats authoritarian regimes pose to global stability, asserting that 'no amount of threats or coercion will shake Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world.'
The Eswatini government expressed regret over Lai's inability to visit, asserting this would not alter their longstanding bilateral relationship, according to reports.
Lai was scheduled to participate in celebrations from April 22-26 marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession and the king's birthday.
A special envoy will now represent Taiwan at these celebrations instead of President Lai.
