Taiwan President Visits Only Ally in Africa Amid New China Pressure Tactics

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini on a secretly executed and strategically delayed visit , after earlier travel plans were disrupted by denied overflight permissions widely attributed to pressure from China .

Originally scheduled for April 22, the visit had to be postponed after Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked airspace access , in what Taiwan described as “economic coercion” and diplomatic pressure from Beijing . This marked the first time a Taiwanese president cancelled a foreign trip due to airspace denial , signalling what analysts say could be a new tactic by China to curb Taiwan’s global engagement .

The trip was ultimately carried out under tight secrecy , with Taipei and Eswatini withholding details until Lai had safely landed. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said such arrangements follow “international precedents” for security and diplomatic sensitivity , while reports suggest he may have travelled on an Eswatini government aircraft to bypass restrictions.

Lai said the visit aims to “affirm our longstanding friendship” and expand cooperation in economic, agricultural, cultural and educational sectors , while emphasising that Taiwan “will never be deterred by external pressures.” The trip also coincides with the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s rule , giving it added symbolic and diplomatic weight.

China reacted sharply, calling the visit a “laughable stunt” and escalating rhetoric by describing Lai as a “rat” and accusing him of secretly travelling or being “smuggled” out . Beijing reiterated that Taiwan is part of China and warned countries like Eswatini against supporting what it calls separatist activities.

Taiwan strongly rejected these claims, asserting that the visit was conducted “in accordance with international law and diplomatic norms.” Officials also stressed that the president does not require Beijing’s permission for international travel , underscoring Taiwan’s position as a self-governing democracy.

The episode has drawn broad international concern , with the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, France and Germany criticising China’s alleged role in blocking overflight access and warning against politicising aviation norms.

The visit highlights Taiwan’s shrinking diplomatic space , as it now maintains formal ties with only 12 countries worldwide , with Eswatini its sole African ally . Analysts say Beijing’s growing economic influence in Africa and beyond is increasingly being used to isolate Taiwan diplomatically, as seen in other recent incidents involving Taiwan-linked events being disrupted.

Despite these pressures, Lai reaffirmed that Taiwan will continue to engage globally, stating that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future and international relations .