China has praised three African countries for denying overflight rights to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, a move that forced him to cancel a planned visit to Eswatini, while Taipei condemned what it described as “servitude” to Beijing.
The countries — Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar — withdrew permission for Lai’s aircraft to pass through their airspace, marking the first known instance of a Taiwanese president cancelling a foreign trip due to denied access.
Lai had been scheduled to travel to Eswatini, one of only 12 countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but Taipei announced the trip’s postponement after the permits were revoked.
Taiwan said China used economic “coercion” to secure the countries’ cooperation, a claim rejected by Beijing.
At a regular briefing in Beijing, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang Han praised the decision, expressing appreciation for the stance and “practice” of the three nations in upholding the one-China principle.
“A just cause enjoys abundant support, while an unjust cause finds little support,” he said, quoting the ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius.
China regards democratically governed Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly described the issue as a “red line” in its foreign relations.
In a separate statement, China’s foreign ministry said it was clear there was “no longer a so-called Republic of China president in the world anymore”, referring to Taiwan’s formal name.
“Anyone who wears that false title is acting against history and will only invite disgrace upon themselves,” it added.
Madagascar and Seychelles said their decisions were based on their non-recognition of Taiwan.
Despite the cancellation, Eswatini reaffirmed its ties with Taipei. Acting government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli said the development would not affect bilateral relations.
“As a sovereign nation, Eswatini continues to pursue an independent and principled foreign policy that prioritises peace, cooperation and mutually beneficial partnerships with all members of the international community,” Mdluli added.
Taiwan strongly criticised China’s role in the episode, with its foreign ministry describing comments by Seychelles and Madagascar as being “in servitude of China”.
“The Republic of China is a sovereign state with the right to engage with the world — a right that cannot be denied, and that no country has the standing to obstruct,” it said.
In the US, lawmakers raised concerns over the development. The US House Select Committee on China said, “This is not diplomacy; it is economic pressure aimed at isolating a democratic partner.”
The episode comes shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Cheng Li-wun in Beijing, where China unveiled new incentives for Taiwan, including easing food import restrictions.
The opposition Kuomintang urged restraint, with senior lawmaker Lai Shyh-bao saying, “I think mainland China’s pressure is not clever, especially after the Cheng-Xi meeting,” in remarks to reporters in Taipei.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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