By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Tuesday announced the cancellation of his planned trip to Eswatini, after his government accused China of mounting pressure on three other African countries to revoke permission for his aircraft to fly over their airspaces.
Eswatini, a small southern African nation is one of only 12 countries to retain formal ties with Taiwan, a territory which China lays claim to.
Lai was due to leave on Wednesday for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession.
Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar unilaterally revoked flight permits for the presidential aircraft to cross their countries on his journey without prior warning, Eswatini’s Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an alleged.
“The actual reason was intense pressure exerted by Chinese authorities, including economic coercion,” he told a press conference in Taipei on Tuesday.
Beijing, which has deep economic and political ties with Africa insists that Taiwan is its territory and has no right to call itself an independent nation.
Speaking to Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged support for the continent and its development needs, according to reports by state media.
Lai, in a post on his Facebook page, said China’s “suppressive actions” demonstrate the threat that authoritarian states pose to the international order, peace, and stability.
“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 added.
Seychelles’ foreign affairs ministry told Reuters that the Taiwanese president’s plane had not been granted clearance for overflight or landing, in line with the government’s longstanding policy of not recognising Taiwan’s sovereignty.
“The decision was taken independently and in accordance with established procedures,” Aline Morel, senior protocol officer at the ministry, said in an email.
A Madagascar foreign ministry official also confirmed denial of an overflight request. “Malagasy diplomacy recognises only one China. The decision was made in full respect of Madagascar’s sovereignty over its airspace,” the official said.
