In brief
President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan has canceled his trip to Eswatini following the revocation of flight permits by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, attributed to alleged economic coercion from China. This incident marks the first time a Taiwanese leader has had to cancel a journey due to such circumstances. In response, Lai criticized China's actions and emphasized Taiwan's commitment to international engagement.
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, according to a Taiwan official. China denied coercion, while praising 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 which are diplomatic allies of Taiwan and the only one in Africa.According to news agency Reuters, Seychelles and Madagascar stated that they took 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, asserting sovereignty over Taiwan, which many in Taiwan consider to be a sovereign nation. The Chinese government has labeled Lai a troublemaker and a destroyer of cross-strait peace. In a recent statement, Lai criticized China's coercive actions, asserting that they expose the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order, stating, 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 but indicated it would not affect the longstanding bilateral relationship. Lai was scheduled to attend celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession and the king's birthday from April 22 to April 26. In light of the cancellation, a special envoy will be assigned to attend the celebrations on Lai's behalf.
