23.04.2026 15:56
Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's visit to Eswatini was postponed after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar unexpectedly revoked airspace permissions along the flight route. The Taiwan administration claimed the ban was imposed due to pressure from China.
The visit of Taiwan's leader Lai Ching-te, who is in a sovereignty dispute with China, to the East African country of Eswatini has been postponed after three countries along the flight route abruptly canceled airspace permissions.
3 COUNTRIES CLOSE AIRSPACE
According to Taiwan's CNA news agency, Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an said in a press conference that Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar along the flight path of the chartered plane carrying Lai and his delegation "unexpectedly and without providing reasons" withdrew airspace flight permits.
PRESIDENT POSTPONES VISIT
Pan stated that the national security team decided to postpone the visit following an assessment regarding the safety of the delegation and the flight, and noted that Lai will appoint a special representative to attend the celebrations in Eswatini.
Arguing that China's pressure, including economic coercion, influenced the behavior of the relevant countries, Pan said they condemn the Beijing administration for its coercive actions.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS SECOND OVERSEAS VISIT
Lai was scheduled to attend national celebrations in Eswatini, the only country in Africa to recognize Taiwan, for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's ascension to the throne and his 58th birthday. This would have been his second overseas visit since taking office in May 2024.
The Taiwanese leader visited the Pacific island nations of Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, which maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, in December 2024, using the U.S. islands of Hawaii and Guam as transit stops during those visits.
Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, has had de facto independence since 1949. The rift and sovereignty dispute that emerged after the civil war between mainland China and Taiwan continues.
China opposes any steps that could lead to international recognition of Taiwan's de facto independence, including the Taiwanese government establishing independent diplomatic relations with countries that recognize it and being represented in the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations.