Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has canceled a planned visit to Eswatini after several African nations revoked his overflight permits, citing pressure from China. Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar withdrew their approval, amid accusations that China exercised economic coercion to influence their decisions. China denied these claims but praised the countries for supporting the one-China policy. This marks the first known case where Taiwan’s leader had to cancel a foreign trip due to such revocations.
Eswatini, Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa, was set to host Lai for a celebration of King Mswati III’s 40th accession anniversary. However, the trip was canceled after the overflight permits were revoked, with Eswatini expressing regret but reaffirming their bilateral relationship. Lai condemned China’s coercive tactics, emphasizing Taiwan's resilience and international engagement.
The incident underscores ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan’s diplomatic status and China’s efforts to isolate the island internationally. While Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan and considers it a breakaway province, many nations and Taiwan itself view it as a sovereign nation. The situation highlights the broader influence China seeks to exert on small nations and the diplomatic vulnerabilities Taiwan faces in maintaining global ties.