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, while praising the three Indian Ocean nations, stating it had high appreciation for them.
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 which are diplomatic allies of Taiwan and the only one in Africa.
According to news agency Reuters, Seychelles and Madagascar stated they made the decision because they do not recognize Taiwan. Taiwanese officials claimed that the three African countries revoked the flight permits unexpectedly and without prior notice.
China adheres to the one China principle, in which Beijing asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, although many in Taiwan consider themselves a sovereign nation. Beijing views the self-governed island as a breakaway province that will eventually be a part of the country and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this.
The Chinese government has previously expressed its dislike for Lai, labeling him as a troublemaker and a destroyer of cross-strait peace. In a statement on X, Lai criticized China's coercive actions, stating that it exposed the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order. He asserted, No amount of threats or coercion will shake Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world.
The government of Eswatini expressed regret over Lai's inability to visit, but emphasized that this would not alter the status of their longstanding bilateral relationship. Lai was scheduled to spend April 22 to 26 in Eswatini, attending celebrations for King Mswati III's anniversary and birthday. Taiwan has indicated that a special envoy will attend the celebrations on Lai's behalf.
Some U.S. lawmakers have criticized Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar for their actions, with a vocal stance against apparent Chinese coercion and support for Taiwan's diplomatic efforts.
Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked Lai's flight permits after intense pressure and economic coercion from China, said a Taiwan official. China denied coercion, while praising the three Indian Ocean nations, stating it had high appreciation for them.
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 which are diplomatic allies of Taiwan and the only one in Africa.
According to news agency Reuters, Seychelles and Madagascar stated they made the decision because they do not recognize Taiwan. Taiwanese officials claimed that the three African countries revoked the flight permits unexpectedly and without prior notice.
China adheres to the one China principle, in which Beijing asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, although many in Taiwan consider themselves a sovereign nation. Beijing views the self-governed island as a breakaway province that will eventually be a part of the country and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this.
The Chinese government has previously expressed its dislike for Lai, labeling him as a troublemaker and a destroyer of cross-strait peace. In a statement on X, Lai criticized China's coercive actions, stating that it exposed the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order. He asserted, No amount of threats or coercion will shake Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world.
The government of Eswatini expressed regret over Lai's inability to visit, but emphasized that this would not alter the status of their longstanding bilateral relationship. Lai was scheduled to spend April 22 to 26 in Eswatini, attending celebrations for King Mswati III's anniversary and birthday. Taiwan has indicated that a special envoy will attend the celebrations on Lai's behalf.
Some U.S. lawmakers have criticized Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar for their actions, with a vocal stance against apparent Chinese coercion and support for Taiwan's diplomatic efforts.
