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Taiwan FM Visits Eswatini After President’s Trip Canceled Amid China Pressure

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung arrived in Eswatini on Saturday as a special envoy after President Lai Ching-te’s visit was canceled. The cancellation followed the unexpected revocation of overflight clearances by Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar. Taiwanese officials blamed China’s “economic coercion” for the disruption, calling the move unprecedented. Despite the setback, Lin expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and looked forward to celebrating 58 years of bilateral ties.

Key Points: Taiwan FM Reaches Eswatini After President’s Visit Canceled

  • Taiwan FM Lin Chia-lung arrives in Eswatini as special envoy
  • President Lai Ching-te’s visit canceled due to overflight revocations
  • Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar rescinded permission
  • Taiwan cites China’s economic coercion for the disruption
2 min read

Taiwan's foreign minister arrives in Eswatini after President's visit cancelled

Taiwan’s foreign minister Lin Chia-lung arrives in Eswatini after President Lai Ching-te’s visit was canceled due to overflight clearance revocations.

"China’s coercive actions undermine the status quo, once again exposing the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order. - Lai Ching-te"

Mbabane, April 25

Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, arrived in the South African nation, Eswatini, on Saturday, despite the previous cancellation of the President's visit.

The foreign minister posted that he arrived safely in Eswatini as the special envoy of Taiwan's president, Lai Ching-te.

He said that he is "Grateful to Foreign Minister Pholile Shakantu, Minister Manqoba Khumalo, and our overseas community for the warm welcome."

"I look forward to joining the national celebrations and marking 58 years of Taiwan-Eswatini ties," he added.

Taiwan's president, Lai Ching-te's visit to the African nation of Eswatini cancelled, as overflight clearances were revoked for his flight from multiple nations on April 21.

Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an said on Tuesday that Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar "unexpectedly and without justification rescinded overflight permission" for the chartered plane that Lai, his national security team and the press corps were scheduled to take, reported Central News Agency's Focus Taiwan.

Pan further called the move "unprecedented" and cited China's "economic coercion" for the cancellation.

"China's coercive actions undermine the status quo, once again exposing the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order. Ahead of my visit to Eswatini, several countries along our flight route abruptly revoked overflight clearance under pressure from China," Taiwan President Lai Ching-te posted on X.

The chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party stated that "no amount of threats or coercion" will shake Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world or diminish its contributions to the global community.

"Our determination to build friendships around the world with like-minded partners remains steadfast despite external pressure," he added.

Lai Ching-te was scheduled to visit the African nation from April 24 to 26. According to the office of the President, the visit was to coincide with "the 40th anniversary of His Majesty King Mswati III's accession to the throne" and "his Majesty's 58th birthday."

According to Lai Ching-te's office, King Mswati III had sent a personally-signed letter cordially inviting the President to attend these historic celebrations, and noted that the king had travelled to Taiwan in 2024 to attend the inauguration of the 16th-term president and vice president.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohan X
China blocking overflight clearances is typical power play. But honestly, Taiwan's president should have seen this coming. You can't just waltz into Africa pretending to be a sovereign state. Even India doesn't allow it. Pragmatism matters in diplomacy.
K
Kavya N
Interesting how Taiwan still manages to maintain ties with Eswatini. Small nations often get caught between big powers. I feel for these African countries having to navigate US-China-Taiwan triangle. Our own foreign policy is similar balancing act. 😐
S
Siddharth J
Taiwan's 'resolve' sounds like empty rhetoric. They can't even get a plane to land without permission. Meanwhile, China's economic influence in Africa is massive. Eswatini is the only African country still recognizing Taiwan - that's a desperate diplomatic position.
P
Priya S
The foreign minister going anyway is a face-saving move. But what's the point? China's Xi Jinping has made it clear - no country can have 'official' ties with Taiwan. India should stick to our principled position: One China, but also peaceful resolution. No need to antagonize anyone unnecessarily.
M
Michael C
This Taiwan thing keeps testing international norms. China's 'economic coercion' phrase is interesting - India knows all about that from our own border issues. But calling it 'authoritarian risks' is rich coming from Taiwan's DPP government. Pot calling kettle black in my opinion.

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