Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te cancels a planned Africa trip after three African nations revoke overflight rights, with Taipei accusing China of economic coercion and diplomatic pressure
TAIPEI — Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, has abruptly canceled a planned diplomatic trip to Africa after what officials described as “unprecedented” pressure from China led multiple countries to revoke overflight permissions for his aircraft.
The decision to suspend the five-day visit to the Kingdom of Eswatini—Taiwan’s only formal diplomatic ally on the continent—came less than 24 hours before departure, according to Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an.
At a hastily arranged news conference in Taipei, Pan said that Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar “unexpectedly and without justification rescinded overflight permission,” effectively grounding the presidential delegation.
“The actual reason was intense pressure exerted by Chinese authorities, including economic coercion,” Pan said, describing the move as without precedent in Taiwan’s diplomatic history.
Competing narratives over sovereignty
Officials in the affected African nations offered a different account. Authorities in Seychelles and Madagascar said their decisions were consistent with long-standing adherence to the “One China” policy, under which they recognize Beijing over Taipei.
A senior official in Madagascar’s foreign ministry said the denial was “made in full respect of [the country’s] sovereignty over its airspace,” while Seychelles emphasized that the decision followed established diplomatic procedures.
China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, Beijing has consistently maintained that Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes any official international engagement by Taiwanese leaders.
Allegations of “economic warfare”
A senior Taiwanese security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Taipei believes Beijing threatened economic retaliation—including the withdrawal of debt relief—against the African states involved.
“China is leveraging financial dependency as a geopolitical tool,” the official said, characterizing the episode as a form of economic warfare aimed at isolating Taiwan internationally.
China is a major creditor across Africa, with extensive investments tied to infrastructure and development financing, a factor analysts say gives Beijing significant leverage in diplomatic disputes.
Lai condemns “authoritarian pressure”
In a statement posted online, Lai denounced what he called “suppressive actions” by authoritarian regimes.
“No threat or suppression can change Taiwan’s determination to engage with the world, nor can it negate Taiwan’s ability to contribute to the international community,” he wrote.
The canceled trip would have marked Lai’s first visit to Africa since taking office in May 2024 and was intended to coincide with the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession to the throne.
U.S. and international reaction
The episode drew swift reaction from Washington. Senator Ted Cruz criticized Mauritius in particular, accusing it of aligning with Beijing at the expense of U.S. interests.
“They say that’s their sovereign decision,” Cruz said in a statement. “The sovereign decision for the U.S. should be to counter their campaigns and hold their officials accountable.”
The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs also condemned what it called “blatant coercion,” reiterating support for Taiwan.
Somaliland office condemns “interference”
Taiwan’s representative office in the Republic of Somaliland issued a sharply worded statement condemning Beijing’s actions.
“We strongly condemn China for coercing several countries to abruptly revoke overflight clearances,” the office said, adding that such actions “violate relevant international norms and conventions” and constitute interference in the internal affairs of other states.
The statement reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to engagement across Africa, citing ongoing cooperation efforts, including in Somaliland.
Diplomatic ripple effects
Despite the setback, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said more than 40 political figures across 11 African countries had expressed support for Lai’s planned visit, highlighting a complex and evolving diplomatic landscape on the continent.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said Taiwan would continue to deepen ties in sectors ranging from technology and agriculture to public health, even as Beijing seeks to limit its international space.
“This is a test of resilience,” Lin said in a recent interview. “Engagement with Africa will continue.”
The cancellation marks the first known instance of a Taiwanese president being forced to abandon an overseas trip due to denied overflight access—an escalation that analysts say underscores intensifying geopolitical competition between Beijing and Taipei far beyond East Asia.
