Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, has cancelled his trip to Eswatini, the democratic island’s only diplomatic ally in Africa, after his government said several countries had revoked overflight permits because of “intense pressure” from China.
Lai was to leave on Wednesday for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession.
The secretary general of Taiwan’s presidential office, Pan Meng-an, said Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unilaterally and without warning revoked flight permits for the presidential aircraft to cross their countries.
“The actual reason was intense pressure exerted by Chinese authorities, including economic coercion,” he told a hastily called news conference in Taipei.
China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
China, which has deep economic and political ties with Africa, says Taiwan is one of its provinces and has no right to call itself a country.
Speaking to Mozambique’s president, Daniel Chapo, in Beijing on Tuesday, the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, pledged support for the continent and its development needs, according to state media. It did not mention Lai’s cancelled visit to Eswatini.
Lai, in a post on social media, said China’s “suppressive actions” demonstrated the threat authoritarian states posed to international order, peace and stability. “No threat or suppression can change Taiwan’s determination to engage with the world, nor can it negate Taiwan’s ability to contribute to the international community,” he added.
Seychelles’ foreign affairs ministry told Reuters the Taiwanese president’s plane had not been granted clearance for overflight or landing, in line with the government’s longstanding policy of not recognising Taiwan’s sovereignty.
“The decision was taken independently and in accordance with established procedures,” Aline Morel, a senior protocol officer at the ministry, said.
A Madagascar foreign ministry official also confirmed having denied an overflight request. “Malagasy diplomacy recognises only one China. The decision was made in full respect of Madagascar’s sovereignty over its airspace,” the official said.
Mauritius did not immediately respond to requests for a response.
It would be the first time a Taiwanese president has had to cancel an overseas trip owing to Chinese pressure. Taiwanese presidents normally have no problems overflying countries with which the island does not have formal relations, but China harbours a particular dislike of Lai, whom it calls a “separatist”.
Lai says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future, and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
A senior Taiwan security official told Reuters the government understood that China had threatened to impose economic sanctions against Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius, including revoking debt relief.
This would have been Lai’s first trip outside Taiwan since November 2024, when he visited the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, and transited through Hawaii and the US territory of Guam.