In brief
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has scrapped his scheduled visit to Eswatini due to the revocation of flight permits by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, which Taiwan officials attribute to Chinese coercion. This situation spotlights China's increasing influence in the region and raises concerns about Taiwan's international standing.
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, claimed a Taiwanese official. China has denied these allegations while praising the three Indian Ocean nations for their actions. This cancellation is notably the first publicly acknowledged occurrence where a Taiwanese leader had to cancel a trip due to revoked flight permits.Eswatini, the only African diplomatic ally of Taiwan among 12 nations, was set to host Lai from April 22 to April 26 for celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession to the throne and the king's birthday. In a statement, Lai condemned China's coercive actions, asserting that such tactics uncover the threats authoritarian regimes pose to the global order. Taiwan announced it would appoint a special envoy to represent Lai at the Eswatini celebrations.According to news reports, Seychelles and Madagascar justified their decisions on the grounds of not recognizing Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwanese officials expressed surprise at the abrupt withdrawal of flight permits. Amid this tense backdrop, the Chinese government has heavily criticized Lai, labeling him a disruptor of peace.The ongoing episode further complicates Taiwan's diplomatic relationships and highlights China's ongoing commitment to the 'one China' principle, which seeks to assert sovereignty over Taiwan, considering it a breakaway province. U.S. lawmakers have criticized the actions of the African nations, rallying in support of Taiwan against what they perceive as blatant coercion by Beijing.
