Taiwan President Cancels Africa Trip Citing Chinese Airspace Coercion
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te cancelled a scheduled state visit to Eswatini on April 21 after Taipei accused Beijing of pressuring the Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar to revoke overflight permits for his aircraft. The move was labeled as 'economic coercion' by the Taiwanese Presidential Office. The diplomatic obstruction follows the transit of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning through the Taiwan Strait on April 20 and highlights escalating cross-strait tensions and efforts to isolate Taiwan from its remaining allies.