China on Wednesday publicly commended several African countries that revoked overflight clearances for the plane of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, a move that forced him to cancel a planned state visit to Eswatini.
Beijing, which views self-governed Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes formal ties between the island and other states, said the actions were consistent with the one-China principle and international norms. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it “expresses high appreciation” for the countries that withdrew permissions and added that “no one can stop the historical trend of China’s eventual reunification.” A spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office cited the Chinese philosopher Mencius, saying a just cause attracts broad support while an unjust one finds little.
Lai had been due in Eswatini, Taiwan’s only remaining diplomatic ally in Africa, for a visit scheduled April 22-26. The trip was called off after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly revoked flight permits, disrupting the planned route. A Taiwanese official said those decisions came after “strong pressure from the Chinese authorities, including economic coercion.” China denied exerting economic pressure while praising the three countries’ actions.
Seychelles and Madagascar said they acted because they do not recognize Taiwan. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the moves as being “in servitude of China,” and reiterated that the Republic of China is a sovereign state with the right to conduct international relations, a right it said should not be obstructed by third parties.
Eswatini’s government said it “regrets” Lai’s absence but emphasized that the cancellation does not alter the long-standing bilateral relationship. Eswatini is one of just 12 countries that continue formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.
The incident comes after a recent meeting in Beijing between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kuomintang (KMT) opposition figure Cheng Li-wun. The KMT has urged Beijing to exercise restraint and allow Taiwan room for diplomacy. “I think mainland China’s pressure is not clever, especially after the Cheng–Xi meeting,” senior KMT lawmaker Lai Shyh-bao told reporters in Taipei.
U.S. lawmakers also expressed concern. The U.S. House Select Committee on China said on X that the move was not diplomacy but “economic pressure aimed at isolating a democratic partner.” The episode highlights ongoing tensions over Taiwan’s international space and Beijing’s efforts to limit its official engagements with other countries.