TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Germany and the Czech Republic reportedly denied transit requests for President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) after three African countries earlier refused flight clearance, ultimately derailing his planned trip to Eswatini.

Lai had been scheduled to visit Eswatini from April 22 to 26, but Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, located along the planned direct flight route, denied clearance under pressure from China. Bloomberg reported that Taiwan launched a 48-hour effort to salvage the trip after the denials by seeking transit authorization through European countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sought permission from Germany and the Czech Republic. While German authorities received the notification, their official assessment was that allowing Lai to land on a Taiwanese official plane in Frankfurt would be “problematic,” per Bloomberg.

After learning that Germany was considering the request, Beijing immediately pressured Berlin to refuse, Bloomberg reported. Another consideration was that if more African countries refused overflight rights, Lai might be stranded in Germany.

Ultimately, both Germany and the Czech Republic rejected the transit request after internal discussions, according to Bloomberg. Lai canceled his trip, and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) attended in his place.

MOFA on Wednesday said the president’s visit to Eswatini had been planned in accordance with the principles of safety and professionalism, and that communication and coordination with all parties were maintained throughout the process, per UP Media. It added that, given considerations including mission success, flight safety, and itinerary arrangements, it would not comment on specific operational details.

The ministry stressed that the planned visit was a legitimate diplomatic effort to deepen bilateral ties and promote cooperative projects. It strongly condemned China for using political means to interfere and exert pressure, saying such actions undermine international civil aviation order and harm regional flight safety and normal diplomatic exchanges.

It added that Taiwan will continue working with like-minded partners to uphold the rules-based international order and ensure an open and secure environment for international aviation and diplomatic engagement.