Sawt Falasteen - US says China used 'intimidation' to block Taiwan leader's Africa trip

Taiwan announced Tuesday that Lai was postponing his trip to Eswatini -- the island's only diplomatic ally in Africa -- after "Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly and without prior notice revoked the charter's overflight permits."

China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes the self-governed island's participation in international organisations and exchanges with other countries.

"We are concerned by reports that several countries revoked overflight clearances to prevent the Taiwan president from visiting Eswatini," a US State Department spokesperson told AFP.

"These countries are acting at the behest of China by interfering in the safety and dignity of routine travel by Taiwan officials," the spokesperson added, without naming the countries.

"This is yet another case of Beijing waging its intimidation campaign against Taiwan and Taiwan's supporters around the world."

Lai's secretary-general Pan Men-an earlier said "the real reason is that the Chinese authorities exerted intense pressure including economic coercion."

Washington does not officially recognize Taiwan, but is the island territory's main security backer -- though the tone of that support has softened slightly under US President Donald Trump.

The US leader is due to meet China's President Xi Jinping next month.

Beijing said on Wednesday it had "high appreciation" for the African countries that blocked the permits for Lai's trip planned for this week.

"Relevant countries maintained support for the one-China principle, completely in line with... the basic norms of international relations, China expresses high appreciation," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

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 in New York last year as part of an official trip to Latin America. Taiwan's foreign ministry denies that he was blocked.

Q.Bulbul--SF-PST