Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has postponed a planned visit to Eswatini after several African nations abruptly revoked overflight permits.
The decision followed what Taipei described as intense diplomatic and economic pressure from China, escalating tensions over Taiwan’s shrinking international space.
Lai had been scheduled to travel between April 22 and 26 for King Mswati III’s 40th anniversary on the throne.
The visit also coincided with the monarch’s 58th birthday, an event expected to draw regional leaders and diplomatic attention.
Taiwan considers Eswatini its only remaining diplomatic ally in Africa, a symbolic foothold amid Beijing’s expanding influence across the continent.
Presidential secretary-general Pan Men-an said Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar withdrew flight permissions without prior notice, disrupting carefully planned travel routes.
Pan attributed the sudden move to Chinese coercion, alleging Beijing used economic leverage to pressure the three nations into compliance.
A Taiwanese security official claimed China threatened to revoke debt relief and halt financing, intensifying pressure through potential economic sanctions.
China maintains Taiwan is part of its territory and routinely opposes any official exchanges between Taipei and foreign governments.
Eswatini expressed regret over the cancelled visit, while reaffirming its enduring diplomatic ties with Taiwan despite the setback.
Government spokeswoman Thabile Mdluli described the disruption as a logistical and diplomatic challenge beyond the control of both parties.
Lai said he accepted advice from his national security team, but insisted Taiwan’s global engagement would not be deterred by threats.
In a statement, he declared that no coercion could alter Taiwan’s determination to connect with the international community.
Taipei has condemned Beijing’s actions as unprecedented, accusing China of undermining aviation safety and interfering in sovereign decisions.
A special envoy will now represent Lai at the celebrations, preserving a symbolic presence at a crucial diplomatic moment.
Eswatini became Taiwan’s last African ally in 2018, after Burkina Faso shifted recognition to Beijing, narrowing Taipei’s global partnerships further.
