Taiwan’s Planned Visit to Eswatini Cancelled After African Countries Withdraw Flight Permits
In late April 2025, Taiwanese President Lai Ching‑te was scheduled to travel to the Kingdom of Eswatini from April 22 to 26 to join celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s accession to the throne. The trip would have been Lai’s first overseas visit since his November 2024 tour of Pacific allies.
Eswatini remains Taiwan’s only diplomatic partner in Africa, making the visit symbolically important as Beijing intensifies efforts to isolate the island on the global stage.
How the Permit Withdrawals Unfolded
According to Taiwan’s Presidential Office, the Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked previously issued clearance for the presidential aircraft to fly through their airspace without prior notice. Presidential Office Secretary‑General Pan Meng‑an told Reuters that the decisions followed “intense pressure” from Chinese authorities, including warnings of possible economic coercion.
Officials in the three African nations, however, insisted that their actions were based on long‑standing foreign‑policy positions. Seychelles and Madagascar reiterated their adherence to the “One China” policy, under which they do not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state.
China’s Growing Influence in African Diplomacy
Over the past decade, China has steadily reduced the number of countries that maintain formal relations with Taipei. As of early 2025, Taiwan retains diplomatic ties with only 12 nations worldwide—mostly smaller states in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
A senior Taiwanese security official told Reuters that Beijing may have leveraged economic ties and debt‑relief discussions to persuade the Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar to deny overflight rights. Such tactics align with China’s broader strategy of using economic incentives and pressure to limit Taiwan’s international space.
Responses from Taipei and Lai Ching‑te
President Lai condemned the move on his Facebook page, describing China’s actions as “repressive measures” that underscore the risks authoritarian influence poses to global stability. He emphasized that Taiwan will continue to seek meaningful engagement with its remaining allies and pursue participation in international forums where possible.
The Presidential Office also noted that alternative routing options are being examined for future trips, though any change would likely increase flight time and logistical complexity.
Implications for Taiwan’s International Outreach
- The incident highlights the fragility of Taiwan’s diplomatic network in Africa, where Eswatini is the sole official ally.
- Loss of overflight rights can effectively ground presidential visits, limiting high‑level engagement and symbolic gestures of support.
- Analysts warn that if similar pressure spreads to other African states, Taiwan’s ability to maintain even minimal diplomatic presence on the continent could deteriorate further.
- Conversely, the episode may reinforce solidarity among Taiwan’s remaining partners, prompting coordinated statements of support and increased cooperation in areas such as trade, health and technology.
Context: Taiwan’s Diplomatic Landscape in 2025
Taiwan’s foreign ministry reports that, alongside Eswatini, the country maintains formal relations with Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tuvalu. Most of these nations are small island or developing states that have historically resisted Chinese pressure, though recent years have seen several switches to Beijing.
The United States, Japan and the European Union continue to provide unofficial support through arms sales, economic cooperation and participation in multilateral forums, but they do not alter Taiwan’s formal diplomatic count.
Looking Ahead
Taiwan’s government says it will continue to pursue “pragmatic diplomacy,” strengthening economic and cultural ties with like‑minded nations while exploring avenues for participation in global health, climate and digital‑governance initiatives. The recent episode serves as a reminder of the geopolitical headwinds Taiwan faces, yet also underscores the resilience of its network of supporters.
