TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The cancellation of President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) planned trip to Africa after reported Chinese pressure over overflight permissions has been described by diplomats and officials as a “warning shot,” Nikkei Asia reported Thursday.
Lai had been scheduled to travel to Eswatini this week but called off the visit the night before departure. His administration said Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked overflight clearance after pressure from Beijing.
The case is being viewed in Taipei as a rare instance of a presidential trip being canceled due to airspace restrictions. Analysts said it signals a new escalation in China’s efforts to isolate Taiwan diplomatically.
British Representative to Taiwan Ruth Bradley-Jones said the incident was “very concerning.” She said airspace management should remain neutral and not be influenced by political considerations.
“Neutral and predictable airspace management is essential to flight safety, and to the everyday exchanges that keep the global economy moving,” she said. She added that aviation decisions should prioritize safety and stability.
A former Taiwanese ambassador said the episode marks the first time a sitting president has been forced to cancel an overseas trip solely due to overflight denial, per Nikkei Asia. He said it echoes past incidents but represents a sharper escalation.
He cited a 2006 trip by former President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), known as the “Lost Journey,” when Beijing pressured Lebanon to deny landing rights. Chen’s plane was diverted mid-route, though the trip continued with other stops.
The former ambassador, who requested anonymity, called the latest case “a warning shot by Beijing” demonstrating a wider range of coercive tools. He said the incident could set a precedent if other countries follow similar pressure.
He warned that such moves could constrain Taiwan’s future diplomacy, including travel to Paraguay, its only diplomatic ally in South America. As a landlocked country, Paraguay depends on overflight permissions from others.
Western and Japanese officials also raised concerns. The American Institute in Taiwan said the move reflected Beijing’s “intimidation campaign” and misuse of the international civil aviation system.
An EU spokesperson said overflight rights are fundamental to global aviation, while Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru stressed the need for transparency and safety.
Within Taiwan, criticism has come from both ruling and opposition parties. Even the KMT supported a legislative motion condemning the reported interference, per Nikkei Asia.
The former ambassador said the episode may reflect Beijing’s response to Taiwan’s recent diplomatic outreach in Japan, Southeast Asia, and Europe. He said the key question now is how Taiwan and its partners respond beyond verbal condemnation.
