Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s Africa Trip Thwarted by China-Backed Airspace Blockade and European Transit Denials

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s planned diplomatic visit to Eswatini in early April 2026 was cancelled after Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar revoked overflight permits for his aircraft at Beijing’s request. Taiwan then sought emergency transit through Germany and the Czech Republic; both states declined, leaving no viable route.

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Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic ties with only 12 nations, making presidential trips vital for sustaining those relationships. Air routes are governed by flight information regions (FIRs) administered by Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar, whose decisions reflected Beijing’s “one-China principle.” The last European transit for a Taiwanese head of state was in 2014 via Frankfurt.

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Early April 2026: Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar revoked overflight permits after Beijing’s request. Mid-April: Taiwan asked Germany and the Czech Republic for emergency transit; both declined within two hours. April 24-25: Plans for a French Réunion stop and a charter from King Mswati III failed. April 26: President Lai cancelled the trip and turned to typhoon recovery. Subsequently, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung traveled to Eswatini as a special envoy, flying via Vienna and returning through Frankfurt.

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Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it was maintaining ongoing communication with relevant parties and condemned Beijing’s political interference in civil aviation. The Czech Foreign Ministry said it had not received any request. German officials declined comment. Beijing’s foreign ministry described the actions as rightful steps to uphold the one-China principle, and officials from Seychelles and Madagascar reiterated their recognition of a single China. The United States had previously blocked a similar transit for Lai in July over concerns about trade talks with China.

Bloomberg

Taiwan’s officials described the overflight revocations as political interference that threatens civil-aviation neutrality. Analysts noted European hesitancy reflected broader U.S.–China strategic calculations, citing the U.S. decision to block Lai’s earlier U.S. stopover.

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German authorities were reportedly notified of Taiwan’s request but gave no comment, leaving details unclear. The Czech ministry said no request was received, contradicting reports of a two-hour deadline that made the request “impossible.” Internal deliberations in European ministries remain undisclosed.

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• “We have not received any such request and haven’t engaged in any way with any third party in the matter described.” — Czech Foreign Ministry

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• “ongoing communication and coordination with all relevant parties” — Hsiao Kuang-wei, Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson

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• “China’s use of political means to disrupt international civil aviation operations.” — Hsiao Kuang-wei, Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson

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• “relevant countries’ righteous moves to uphold the one-China principle” — Chinese Foreign Ministry representative

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Taiwan will continue diplomatic outreach through special envoys while seeking alternative air corridors. European governments have not signaled a policy shift, and the broader dispute over FIR control and overflight rights remains unresolved, potentially affecting future presidential travel.

Bloomberg