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. Lai’s office said the flight permits from Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar were revoked without prior notice after what it described as ‘intense pressure and economic coercion’ from China.

China Denies Coercion, Praises African Nations

China denied any coercion was involved and praised the three Indian Ocean nations, stating it had ‘high appreciation’ for their actions — According to news agency Reuters, Seychelles and Madagascar said they took the decision because they do not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign entity. Taiwanese officials claimed the revocation of the flight permits was ‘unexpected and without prior notice,’ complicating Lai’s plans to attend a royal celebration in Eswatini.

Eswatini is one of 12 nations that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and it is the only such ally in Africa — Lai was scheduled to visit from 22 to 26 April to mark the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession and the king’s birthday. A special envoy will now attend the events on Lai’s behalf.

Beijing Views Lai as a ‘Troublemaker’

Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway province of China and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. The Chinese government has been vocal in its criticism of Lai, who it has previously described as a ‘troublemaker’ and a ‘destroyer of cross-strait peace.’ In a statement on X, Lai accused China of ‘coercive actions,’ saying this exposed the risks authoritarian governments pose to the international order. He added. ‘No amount of threats or coercion will shake Taiwan’s resolve to engage with the world.’.

The Eswatini government said it was ‘regrettable’ that Lai was unable to visit but emphasized that this would not ‘change the status of our longstanding bilateral relationship,’ according to reports. At a press briefing on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said Beijing ‘appreciated the position and actions of the relevant countries in upholding the one-China principle.’.

US Reacts to Coercion Claims

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,’ a reference to Lai’s official title in Taiwan. Some in the US have criticized Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar for revoking the flight permits. The House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority said they ‘stood with Taiwan against this blatant coercion’ in a post on X. US Senator Ted Cruz also criticized Mauritius, stating it seemed ‘determined to ally with the Chinese Communist Party.’