Under pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), three African countries suddenly revoked the permission for the Republic of China (Taiwan) President’s official aircraft to fly through their airspace, causing President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to African allies to be postponed. On Wednesday (22nd), the United States Department of State condemned the CCP’s interference in Taiwan President’s official visits, stating that this action constitutes an abuse of the international civil aviation system.
President Tsai Ing-wen had planned to visit Eswatini from April 22nd to 27th to attend the 40th anniversary celebration of King Mswati III’s reign. However, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar unexpectedly revoked permission for President Tsai’s official aircraft to fly through their airspace, hindering the visit.
This marks the first time that the President of Taiwan has had to alter an entire foreign visit itinerary due to the denial of airspace passage for the official aircraft, highlighting a renewed escalation of the CCP’s political suppression actions against Taiwan.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State told Reuters that “these countries are acting at the direction of the Chinese (Communist) government, interfering with the security and dignity of routine visits of Taiwanese officials,” and pointed out that these countries’ responsibility for managing specific international airspace beyond their airspace “is purely to ensure aviation safety, not to serve as a political tool for Beijing.”
The U.S. government spokesperson noted, “This is an example of Beijing authorities abusing the international civil aviation system to intimidate Taiwan and global supporters, posing yet another threat to international peace and prosperity,” calling for Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic intimidation against Taiwan.
Furthermore, numerous U.S. Congress members have also condemned the CCP’s coercive actions and expressed support for Taiwan.
Representatives of the European Union and the United Kingdom in Taiwan, Ruth Bradley-Jones, also expressed concern over the CCP’s coercive actions.
An EU spokesperson stated, “While countries have sovereignty over their airspace, such decisions should not be used as a tool to achieve political objectives, but rather conducted in a transparent and predictable manner.”
In another statement, Bradley-Jones emphasized that decisions regarding airspace management should prioritize safety and stability and should not be driven by political motives.
A senior security official from Taiwan disclosed to Reuters that the CCP pressured Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, threatening economic sanctions, including the revocation of debt relief, if they allowed President Tsai Ing-wen’s official aircraft to fly through their airspace.
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the CCP denied these allegations, claiming that these three African countries adhered to the CCP’s “One China” principle.
The CCP has long employed political, economic, and military coercion against Taiwan, which practices a democratic system, and has consistently enticed and pressured Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, openly making isolating Taiwan a “red line” in its diplomatic relationships.
Over the past 30 years, a total of 10 African countries severed ties with Taiwan and turned to the CCP. Eswatini, located in southern Africa, is one of Taiwan’s remaining 12 formal diplomatic allies.