Taiwan President Cancels Eswatini Visit, Citing Chinese Pressure

A last-minute diplomatic tussle has grounded Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s planned trip to Eswatini, with Taipei accusing Beijing of leaning on other nations to deny overflight permissions—an action it condemned as a breach of international norms and a risk to aviation safety.

Taiwan said Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar withdrew Lai’s flight clearances under “intense pressure” and economic coercion from China. Beijing rejected the coercion claim and instead lauded the three Indian Ocean countries, saying it held “high appreciation” for them. Eswatini is one of 12 countries that maintain formal ties with Taiwan and the only one in Africa. Lai had been scheduled to visit from 22 to 26 April to join celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession and the monarch’s birthday.