Taiwan President Cancels Trip After African Countries Revoke Flight Permits

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has cancelled his planned trip to Eswatini after several African countries revoked overflight permits for his aircraft, in a move Taipei attributed to pressure from China.

Taiwanese officials said Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar withdrew the flight clearances “unexpectedly and without prior notice,” following what they described as “intense pressure” and economic coercion from Beijing.

China, however, denied the allegation, while praising the three countries and expressing “high appreciation” for their actions.

The development marks the first publicly known instance where Taiwan’s leader has had to cancel an overseas trip due to revoked flight permits.

Eswatini remains one of only 12 countries that maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan and is the only one on the African continent.

According to Reuters, Seychelles and Madagascar said their decisions were based on their non-recognition of Taiwan.

China operates under the ‘One China’ principle, asserting sovereignty over Taiwan. While Beijing considers the island a breakaway province, many in Taiwan regard themselves as part of a sovereign nation.

Beijing has also been vocal in its criticism of Lai, previously describing him as a “troublemaker” and a “destroyer of cross-strait peace.”

Reacting in a post on X, Lai condemned China’s actions, saying they highlighted broader global concerns.

“It exposed the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order,” he said. “No amount of threats or coercion will shake Taiwan’s resolve to engage with the world.”

The government of Eswatini expressed regret over the cancellation but reaffirmed that the situation would not “change the status of our longstanding bilateral relationship.”

Lai was scheduled to visit Eswatini from April 22 to 26 to attend events marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession to the throne, as well as his birthday celebrations.

Taiwan has announced that a special envoy will attend the events in place of the president.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said Beijing “appreciated the position and actions of the relevant countries in upholding the one-China principle.”

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that it was “clear…[that] the so-called ‘President of the Republic of China’ no longer exists in the world,” in reference to Lai’s official title.

Meanwhile, some United States lawmakers have criticised the actions of the African countries. The House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority said it “stood with Taiwan against this blatant coercion” in a post on X.

US Senator Ted Cruz also criticised Mauritius, saying it appeared “determined to ally with the Chinese Communist Party.”