Story perspectives

Lai Cancels Eswatini Trip After Overflight Bans, Blames China

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Lai Ching-te postponed his Eswatini visit after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar withdrew overflight permission for his plane.
Secretary-General Pan Meng-an said Chinese pressure and economic coercion caused the revocations.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office denied any pressure and praised the three countries for adhering to the one-China principle.
The U.S. State Department and the European Union condemned the bans as political misuse of civil aviation and expressed support for Taiwan.

History

Historical Context

After the United States recognized the People’s Republic of China on Jan 1 1979 and passed the Taiwan Relations Act on Apr 10 1979—authorizing up to $1 billion in yearly defensive arms for Taiwan—the island has faced diplomatic pressure. Deng Xiaoping’s 1978 reforms shifted China toward a U.S. partnership, yet today Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar block President Lai’s flight, echoing past attempts to isolate Taiwan.

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Story summary

President Lai Ching-te postponed his Eswatini visit after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar withdrew overflight permission for his plane.
Secretary-General Pan Meng-an said Chinese pressure and economic coercion caused the revocations.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office denied any pressure and praised the three countries for adhering to the one-China principle.
The U.S. State Department and the European Union condemned the bans as political misuse of civil aviation and expressed support for Taiwan.

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