China expressed “high appreciation” for several African nations after they revoked overflight permits for Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, forcing the cancellation of his planned visit to Eswatini in April 2026. The move disrupted Lai’s itinerary to attend the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession and the monarch’s 58th birthday celebrations in the southern African kingdom.
According to verified reports, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly withdrew flight clearance for Lai’s aircraft following what Taiwanese officials described as intense diplomatic and economic pressure from Beijing. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed the stance, stating that relevant countries had upheld the one-China principle in line with basic norms of international relations, and that China voiced its appreciation for their actions.
The incident underscores the ongoing geopolitical pressure China exerts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, particularly in Africa, where Beijing has steadily reduced Taipei’s official allies through sustained engagement and infrastructure investments. Eswatini remains one of only 12 countries that still maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, recognizing it as the Republic of China.
Lai Ching-te, who assumed the presidency of Taiwan in May 2024, had been scheduled to begin his African tour on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The trip was intended to strengthen ties with Eswatini, Taiwan’s last remaining diplomatic partner on the continent, amid broader efforts by Beijing to prevent any official engagement between Taipei and African governments.
An Eswatini government spokesperson told AFP that while the country regretted Lai’s inability to visit, it emphasized that the cancellation did not affect the enduring nature of bilateral relations between Eswatini and the Republic of China (Taiwan). The statement sought to reassure Taipei that the withdrawal of flight permits by third-party nations did not reflect a shift in Mbabane’s foreign policy stance.
China maintains that Taiwan is an inalienable part of its territory and opposes any form of official interaction between the self-governed island and other countries. Beijing has consistently pressured nations to sever ties with Taipei under its one-China framework, leveraging trade, aid and investment incentives to secure compliance.
The revocation of overflight permits is not unprecedented; similar actions have occurred in past years when Taiwanese leaders attempted overseas transits through African airspace. Analysts note that such measures are often coordinated quietly through diplomatic channels, with issuing countries rarely citing China directly as the reason for last-minute permit withdrawals.
In its official statement, China’s foreign ministry went further, asserting that “no one can stop the historical trend of China’s eventual reunification,” framing the permit revocations as alignment with an irreversible geopolitical reality. The rhetoric reflects Beijing’s long-standing position that unification with Taiwan is inevitable, despite the island’s de facto autonomy and vibrant democratic institutions.
Taiwan’s government has repeatedly denounced such actions as election interference and coercion, arguing that they undermine international norms of sovereign equality and freedom of movement. Taipei has called on like-minded democracies to resist pressure campaigns that seek to restrict the global participation of its elected officials.
The incident adds to a pattern of heightened cross-strait tensions in 2026, marked by increased Chinese military activity near Taiwan and sustained diplomatic outreach to countries still recognizing Taipei. While no direct confrontation occurred, the episode highlights how Beijing continues to use indirect tools to constrain Taiwan’s international visibility without triggering open conflict.
As of the time of this report, no rescheduled date for Lai’s visit to Eswatini has been announced. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it remains committed to pursuing meaningful engagement with its allies, though it acknowledged the growing challenges posed by external pressure.
For ongoing updates on cross-strait relations and Taiwan’s diplomatic engagements, readers are encouraged to follow official statements from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
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