{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1695733,
        "msgid": "us-says-china-used-intimidation-to-block-taiwan-leaders-africa-trip-1777017130",
        "date": "2026-04-23 13:03:00",
        "title": "US says China used 'intimidation' to block Taiwan leader's Africa trip",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNA",
        "tags": "World ,East Asia ,Asia",
        "topic": "Politics",
        "summary": "The United States has criticised China's 'intimidation campaign' after African nations Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked overflight permits, forcing Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te to postpone his trip to Eswatini. Beijing expressed appreciation for these countries' adherence to the one-China principle, amid ongoing tensions over Taiwan's international engagements. This incident underscores escalating geopolitical pressures on Taiwan, with the US reaffirming its support despite not formally recognising the island.",
        "content": "<p>US says China used \u2018intimidation\u2019 to block Taiwan leader\u2019s Africa\ntrip<\/p>\n<p>Beijing said it had \u201chigh appreciation\u201d for the African countries\nthat blocked the permits for Taiwan\u2019s President Lai Ching-te\u2019s trip\nplanned for this week.<\/p>\n<p>WASHINGTON: The United States slammed China\u2019s \u201cintimidation campaign\u201d\non Wednesday (Apr 22) after several African countries were reportedly\npressured by Beijing to derail an official trip by Taiwan\u2019s President\nLai Ching-te by revoking overflight permits.<\/p>\n<p>Taiwan announced on Tuesday that Lai was postponing his trip to\nEswatini - the island\u2019s only diplomatic ally in Africa - after\n\u201cSeychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly and without prior\nnotice revoked the charter\u2019s overflight permits\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes the\nself-governed island\u2019s participation in international organisations and\nexchanges with other countries.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are concerned by reports that several countries revoked\noverflight clearances to prevent the Taiwan president from visiting\nEswatini,\u201d a US State Department spokesperson told AFP.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese countries are acting at the behest of China by interfering in\nthe safety and dignity of routine travel by Taiwan officials,\u201d the\nspokesperson added, without naming the countries.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is yet another case of Beijing waging its intimidation campaign\nagainst Taiwan and Taiwan\u2019s supporters around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lai\u2019s secretary-general Pan Men-an earlier said \u201cthe real reason is\nthat the Chinese authorities exerted intense pressure including economic\ncoercion\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Washington does not officially recognise Taiwan, but is the island\nterritory\u2019s main security backer - though the tone of that support has\nsoftened slightly under US President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n<p>The US leader is due to meet China\u2019s President Xi Jinping next\nmonth.<\/p>\n<p>Beijing said on Wednesday it had \u201chigh appreciation\u201d for the African\ncountries that blocked the permits for Lai\u2019s trip planned for this\nweek.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRelevant countries maintained support for the one-China principle,\ncompletely in line with \u2026 the basic norms of international relations,\nChina expresses high appreciation,\u201d a Chinese foreign ministry\nspokesperson said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Lai\u2019s last official overseas trip was in November 2024, when he\nvisited Taiwan\u2019s Pacific allies and transited through the US territory\nof Guam.<\/p>\n<p>Trump\u2019s administration reportedly denied Lai permission to transit in\nNew York last year as part of an official trip to Latin America.\nTaiwan\u2019s foreign ministry denies that he was blocked.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-says-china-used-intimidation-to-block-taiwan-leaders-africa-trip-1777017130",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}