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President Lai Ching-te has cancelled a state visit to Eswatini this week after several countries along the route abruptly revoked overflight permissions, Taiwanese officials said on Tuesday, blaming China.<\/p>\n
Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an said the decision followed a safety assessment by the national security team after some countries withdrew clearance for the presidential aircraft.<\/p>\n
Lai, who had been due to depart on Wednesday with a delegation, will instead send a special envoy to attend Eswatini\u2019s national celebrations in honour of King Mswati III.<\/p>\n
Pan said Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar had cancelled overflight approvals, attributing the move to pressure from China, including what he described as economic coercion.<\/p>\n
Taiwan condemned the development, calling it highly unusual internationally. Pan said pressuring countries to reverse sovereign decisions undermines aviation safety, violates international norms and interferes in internal affairs.<\/p>\n
Taiwan has had its own government since 1949 and has developed into a vibrant democracy, while China regards the island as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification.<\/p>\n
Eswatini is one of Taiwan\u2019s 12 formal diplomatic allies.<\/p>\n
This year marks the 58th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two sides.<\/p>\n
Events to mark the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III\u2019s reign and his 58th birthday are scheduled to take place in Eswatini from Friday to Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n