Lai Ching-te has canceled a planned visit to Eswatini after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar abruptly denied overflight access, a move Taipei attributes to pressure from China. The trip, meant to mark the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s reign, was expected to reinforce ties with Taiwan’s only African ally. Taiwanese officials say the reversals came after Beijing applied “intense pressure,” including threats of economic sanctions and debt relief revocation against the three island nations. It marks the first time a Taiwanese president has been forced to cancel an overseas trip due to Chinese pressure. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province. The cancellation highlights China’s growing diplomatic influence in Africa and signals rising geopolitical tensions, as Taiwan vows to continue engaging globally despite mounting pressure.
The Guardian
