China Praises Countries that Block Taiwan President's Flight
China has stated that it “greatly appreciates” three African countries that revoked landing permissions for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s aircraft, thereby forcing him to cancel his visit to Eswatini.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes the island establishing diplomatic relations with other nations. Lai was originally scheduled to visit Eswatini, Taiwan’s only remaining ally in Africa, from 22 to 26 April.
However, the plan was cancelled after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar abruptly revoked the flight permissions. A Taiwanese official described the revocation as resulting from “strong pressure from Chinese authorities, including economic pressure.”
China praises but denies pressuring
Beijing has denied applying economic pressure but at the same time praised the actions of the three countries.
“The relevant countries have upheld support for the one-China principle, which is fully in line with the basic norms of international relations; China expresses high appreciation,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated.
“Nothing can stop the historical trend of China’s reunification,” the statement added, referring to Beijing’s claim over Taiwan.
The spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office also quoted the ancient philosopher Mencius: “A just struggle gains broad support, while an unjust one receives little.”
Eswatini regrets, Taiwan condemns
Seychelles and Madagascar stated that their decisions were based on not recognising Taiwan. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry described the stance of those countries as “kowtowing to China.”
“The Republic of China is a sovereign nation with the right to engage with the world, a right that cannot be denied, and no country is authorised to obstruct it,” the ministry stated, referring to Taiwan by its official name.
Eswatini, a small southern African kingdom previously known as Swaziland, is one of 12 countries that still maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. An Eswatini government spokesperson expressed “regret” over the cancellation of Lai’s visit but emphasised that it “does not change our long-term bilateral relations status.”
International reaction
This incident occurred after Taiwanese opposition leader Cheng Li-wun from the Kuomintang (KMT) party met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The opposition party urged China to exercise restraint and give Taiwan diplomatic space.
“In my view, mainland China’s pressure is unwise, especially after the Cheng-Xi meeting,” senior KMT lawmaker Lai Shyh-bao told reporters in Taipei.
Several US Congress members also voiced concerns. “This is not diplomacy; it is economic coercion aimed at isolating a democratic partner,” the US House Select Committee on China wrote on X.