Taiwanese President Lai Ching-tey said Tuesday he was canceling a planned trip to Africa this week after China pressured three countries to stop him from flying over their territory.
Lai was scheduled to visit Eswatini, one of only 12 countries that maintain full diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked his plane’s right to use their airspace.
Pan Meng-en, Secretary-General of the Presidential Office, said, “The real reason was the intense pressure exerted by the Chinese authorities, including economic pressure.”
He said that “using coercion to force a third country to change its sovereign decisions not only undermines aviation safety and violates relevant international norms and practices, but is also a blatant interference in another country’s internal affairs, disrupts the regional status quo and harms the sentiments of the Taiwanese people.”
Seychelles and Mauritius did not respond to the allegations, but Madagascar officials said they recognize only one China, referring to the mainland.
America has also banned the movement of Lai
The President was to attend the 40th anniversary of the coronation of King Mswati III. Eswatini remains Taiwan’s only ally in Africa after Burkina Faso switched its allegiance to Beijing in 2018.
China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, has spent decades developing influence in Africa with its Belt and Road Initiative and other investment initiatives.
But it is not only Beijing that is making it difficult for Lai to get around. Last year, despite Washington reportedly supporting Taiwan, US President Donald Trump did not allow the Taiwanese leader to pass through New York to reach Latin America.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar