Taiwan President Cancels Africa Trip After Airspace Row With China

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has cancelled a planned visit to Africa after several countries closed their airspace to his aircraft, in a move Taipei says was driven by pressure from Beijing.

According to Taiwanese officials, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar withdrew overflight permits following what was described as “intense pressure” and economic coercion from China.

China has denied the accusations but praised the decisions of the three nations, reiterating its support for the “one China” principle.

The cancelled trip was meant to take Lai to Eswatini, Taiwan’s only remaining diplomatic ally on the African continent and one of just a handful of countries worldwide that officially recognise Taipei.

This marks the first known instance of a Taiwanese leader cancelling an overseas trip due to revoked flight permissions, highlighting escalating geopolitical tensions.

Lai criticised Beijing’s actions, calling them coercive and warning of the broader risks posed to the international order.

China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province, has long opposed any international recognition of the island’s leadership and has increased efforts to isolate it diplomatically.

The visit to Eswatini was expected to coincide with celebrations marking 40 years since King Mswati III’s accession, with the African nation expressing regret over the cancellation but reaffirming its ties with Taiwan.

The incident has drawn international attention, with some US officials voicing concern over what they described as growing pressure tactics linked to China’s global influence.