Overview
- Taiwan canceled President Lai Ching‑te’s Eswatini visit after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked overflight permissions Tuesday, cutting off his planned route.
- Taipei said China applied intense pressure, including economic coercion, while Beijing denied coercion and praised the three countries for upholding the one‑China principle.
- Washington said the revocations were done at China’s behest and called it an abuse of the international civil aviation system, noting that airspace managers are meant to ensure flight safety, not serve political goals.
- Eswatini said it regretted Lai’s absence from King Mswati III’s anniversary events, and Taiwan said a special envoy will attend in his place to keep ties on track.
- This is the first known instance of a sitting Taiwan president canceling a trip due to denied overflight rights, underscoring Beijing’s growing leverage as more countries align with its claim over Taiwan.