Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung arrived in Eswatini in southern Africa, saying Taipei would not be held back by “authoritarian forces”, after the government accused China of pressuring three African states to block overflight permission for President Lai Ching-te.
Taiwan last week said the Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unilaterally revoked flight permits for its presidential aircraft to cross airspace they manage on a planned trip to Eswatini, one of Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies.
It marked the first time a Taiwan president cancelled an entire foreign trip due to denial of airspace access.
Late on April 25 Lin posted a picture on Facebook of himself getting off a private jet upon arrival in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland.
“In that moment, I felt the deep friendship between Taiwan and Eswatini that transcends distance, and I became even more convinced that Taiwan will not be held back by authoritarian forces,” he wrote.
Lai, in a video message on Sunday to King Mswati III for the 40th anniversary of his accession, said the Republic of China, Taiwan’s formal name, is a “sovereign country” and belongs to the world.
China denied pressuring the three countries but praised them for blocking flight permission.
