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, said a Taiwan official. China denied coercion while praising the three Indian Ocean nations, saying it had 'high appreciation' for them.
This is the first publicly known instance where Taiwan's leader has had to cancel a trip due to revoked flight permits. Eswatini is one of the 12 nations that are diplomatic allies of Taiwan and the only one in Africa. According to news agency Reuters, Seychelles and Madagascar said they made this decision because they do not recognize Taiwan.
Taiwanese officials claimed the three African countries unexpectedly and without prior notice revoked the flight permits. China adheres to the 'one China' principle, asserting its sovereignty over Taiwan, although many in Taiwan view themselves as a sovereign nation. Beijing considers the self-governing island a breakaway province, threatening potential military action to reclaim it.
The Chinese government has openly criticized Lai, labeling him a 'troublemaker' and a 'destroyer of cross-strait peace.' In response, Lai condemned China's 'coercive actions,' stressing that they expose the risks authoritarian regimes pose to global order. No amount of threats or coercion will shake Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world, he declared.
The Eswatini government expressed regret over Lai's inability to visit but assured that this would not alter their longstanding bilateral relationship. Lai was scheduled to attend celebrations from April 22 to 26 marking the king's 40th anniversary of accession and the king's birthday. Taiwan will appoint a special envoy to attend the celebrations in his stead.
This is the first publicly known instance where Taiwan's leader has had to cancel a trip due to revoked flight permits. Eswatini is one of the 12 nations that are diplomatic allies of Taiwan and the only one in Africa. According to news agency Reuters, Seychelles and Madagascar said they made this decision because they do not recognize Taiwan.
Taiwanese officials claimed the three African countries unexpectedly and without prior notice revoked the flight permits. China adheres to the 'one China' principle, asserting its sovereignty over Taiwan, although many in Taiwan view themselves as a sovereign nation. Beijing considers the self-governing island a breakaway province, threatening potential military action to reclaim it.
The Chinese government has openly criticized Lai, labeling him a 'troublemaker' and a 'destroyer of cross-strait peace.' In response, Lai condemned China's 'coercive actions,' stressing that they expose the risks authoritarian regimes pose to global order. No amount of threats or coercion will shake Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world, he declared.
The Eswatini government expressed regret over Lai's inability to visit but assured that this would not alter their longstanding bilateral relationship. Lai was scheduled to attend celebrations from April 22 to 26 marking the king's 40th anniversary of accession and the king's birthday. Taiwan will appoint a special envoy to attend the celebrations in his stead.
