President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan has called off a planned visit to Eswatini, citing diplomatic pressure from China.
The trip, which was scheduled to begin this week, was intended to mark the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s rule. Eswatini remains one of the few countries that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
According to Taiwanese officials, three African nations, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar withdrew previously granted permission for the president’s aircraft to pass through their airspace. Taiwan claims the decision followed significant pressure from Beijing, including possible economic influence.
China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has not publicly responded to the allegation. However, the affected countries cited adherence to their “One China” policy, which does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.
President Lai condemned what he described as “suppressive actions,” stating that such moves would not deter Taiwan from engaging with the global community.
This marks a rare instance where a Taiwanese leader has had to cancel an overseas trip due to diplomatic obstacles linked to China. Analysts note that Beijing has intensified efforts to isolate Taiwan internationally, particularly targeting its remaining allies.
Despite the setback, Taiwanese officials reiterated their commitment to maintaining international partnerships and resisting external pressure.
