(AFP) – Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, on a visit to Eswatini, slammed China’s recent move to pressure several African countries into revoking overflight permits for the island’s leader, saying it will not “bow its head.” Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te postponed an official trip to Eswatini—the island’s only diplomatic ally—last week after “Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar unexpectedly and without prior notice revoked the charter’s overflight permits.”
China claims the self-governed island of Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes its participation in international organizations and exchanges with other countries. Lin attended the 40th anniversary of Eswatini King Mswati III’s accession, representing Lai after arriving in the African kingdom on Saturday.
“No matter how China uses political power to interfere with normal international civil aviation operations, politicizing and weaponizing flight information, it will not make Taiwan bow its head, nor will it stop our progress,” Lin posted on Facebook on Sunday. “No unreasonable blockade or pressure can shake our resolve and will to safeguard our dignity and connect with the international community,” he added.
The United States has condemned China’s actions, labeling it an “intimidation campaign against Taiwan and Taiwan’s supporters around the world.” Beijing shot back that it viewed Washington’s remarks as a “baseless accusation,” maintaining that its actions were legitimate.
Washington does not officially recognize Taiwan, but is the island territory’s main security backer—though the tone of that support has softened under US President Donald Trump. Lai’s last official overseas trip was in November 2024, when he visited Taiwan’s Pacific allies and transited through the US territory of Guam. Trump’s administration reportedly denied Lai permission to transit through New York last year as part of an official trip to Latin America. Taiwan’s foreign ministry denied that he was blocked.
© 2024 AFP
