Taiwan president blames China's coercion for cancelling Africa trip

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te yesterday blamed China for making him cancel his trip to Eswatini this week.

The Taiwanese government on Tuesday accused China of pressing three other African countries to revoke ‌permission for its aircraft to fly over their territories.

The small southern African nation of Eswatini is one of only 12 countries to retain formal ties with Chinese-claimed Taiwan. Lai was due to leave yesterday for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession.

President Lai was originally scheduled to depart on April 22 for a visit to Eswatini. However, flight permits for certain countries along the charter flight's route were abruptly cancelled.

Following a rigorous assessment by the national security team to ensure the safety of our head of state, the delegation, and the flight itself, this visit will be postponed. The president will appoint a special envoy to attend the national celebrations in Eswatini on his behalf.

He said the cancellation would not affect both countries' diplomatic ties.

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Lai reported, "According to our understanding, three countries, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, canceled the flight permits for the president's charter plane without prior notice or justification. The real reason behind their decisions was intense pressure from the authorities in China, including economic coercion. Using coercive tactics to force third countries to alter their sovereign decisions is without precedent in the international community. Such actions not only jeopardize aviation safety and violate international norms and conventions; they also constitute blatant interference in the internal affairs of other nations, undermine the regional status quo, and deeply offend the Taiwanese people. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) strongly condemns the crude and coercive actions of the authorities in Beijing.

"The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign nation. Taiwan is part of the world, and its 23 million people have every right to engage with it. No country has the right to obstruct Taiwan, and none will ultimately succeed in doing so. We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the like-minded countries that have assisted Taiwan in negotiations regarding this matter over the past few days."

Reuters reported that Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an said the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar unilaterally revoked flight permits for the presidential aircraft to cross their countries on his journey, without prior warning.

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 with no right to call itself a country.

Speaking to Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo in Beijing yesterday, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged support for the continent and its development needs, according to a state media readout that did not mention Lai's canceled visit to Eswatini.

Lai, in a post on his Facebook page, said China's "suppressive actions" demonstrate the threat that authoritarian states pose to the 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 that the Taiwanese president's plane had not been granted clearance for overflight or landing, in ‌line with ⁠the government's longstanding policy of not recognizing Taiwan's sovereignty.

"The decision was taken independently and in accordance with established procedures," Aline Morel, senior protocol officer at the ministry, said in an email.

A Madagascar foreign ministry official also confirmed that an overflight request had been denied. "Malagasy diplomacy recognizes only one China. The decision was made in full respect of Madagascar's sovereignty over its airspace," the official said.