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US Blames China for African Overflight Revocations, Taiwan Visit Delayed

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. State Department accused China of intimidation campaign after African nations revoked overflight clearances for Taiwan’s president.
President Lai Ching-te postponed his Eswatini visit after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar withdrew overflight permits.
Lai’s secretary-general Pan Men-an said Chinese authorities applied economic pressure to force the revocations.
China’s foreign ministry called U.S. remarks baseless and its spokesperson Guo Jiakun labeled the criticism a distortion of facts.

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Story summary

The U.S. State Department accused China of intimidation campaign after African nations revoked overflight clearances for Taiwan’s president.
President Lai Ching-te postponed his Eswatini visit after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar withdrew overflight permits.
Lai’s secretary-general Pan Men-an said Chinese authorities applied economic pressure to force the revocations.
China’s foreign ministry called U.S. remarks baseless and its spokesperson Guo Jiakun labeled the criticism a distortion of facts.