Due to Chinese Interference with Presidential Visit, Lin Chia-lung Vows to Uphold Taiwan's Dignity Against Pressure
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's visit to Eswatini has been postponed after transit countries suddenly revoked flight permits. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned this as political pressure from China and emphasized it will firmly defend Taiwan's dignity.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 22:49
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, 21st) President Lai Ching-te's planned visit to Eswatini on the 22nd has been postponed, the Presidential Office announced in an emergency press conference today. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stated on social media that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns China for politicizing and weaponizing flight information regions. He stressed that this will not be the last time, and the more pressure Taiwan faces, the more determined it will be to defend its dignity.
President Lai Ching-te was originally scheduled to visit Eswatini on the 22nd. On the eve of his departure, the Presidential Office held an emergency press conference at 6 PM. Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an pointed out that three countries, including Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, had unexpectedly and without reason canceled the charter flight's overflight permits, leading to the postponement of the presidential visit.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung posted on Facebook in the evening, stating, "Originally, President Lai was scheduled to travel to Eswatini tomorrow morning. Regrettably, some countries on the flight path, including Seychelles, Madagascar, and Mauritius, rescinded their overflight permits after having already issued them. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked until the last moment and has explained the situation to Eswatini first. Based on the highest consideration for the safety of the President, the entire delegation, and the flight, the decision to postpone the trip had to be made."
Lin pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns China for using political power to interfere with the normal operation of international civil aviation, and even for politicizing and weaponizing flight information regions. This is not only pressure on Taiwan but also a challenge to international flight safety, freedom of aviation, and the rules-based international order.
Lin emphasized that Taiwan is a sovereign country, and its 23 million people have the right to engage with the world. No amount of authoritarian coercion can change Taiwan's determination to connect with the world, because Taiwan is inherently a part of the world.
Lin said, "We thank the Kingdom of Eswatini, and we thank all the allies and like-minded countries that assisted Taiwan in negotiations during this process. Such tactics will not be the last. The more pressure we face, the calmer and more determined we will be to strive to protect Taiwan's dignity and continue to walk towards the world step by step." (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150421
President Lai Ching-te was originally scheduled to visit Eswatini on the 22nd. On the eve of his departure, the Presidential Office held an emergency press conference at 6 PM. Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an pointed out that three countries, including Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar, had unexpectedly and without reason canceled the charter flight's overflight permits, leading to the postponement of the presidential visit.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung posted on Facebook in the evening, stating, "Originally, President Lai was scheduled to travel to Eswatini tomorrow morning. Regrettably, some countries on the flight path, including Seychelles, Madagascar, and Mauritius, rescinded their overflight permits after having already issued them. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs worked until the last moment and has explained the situation to Eswatini first. Based on the highest consideration for the safety of the President, the entire delegation, and the flight, the decision to postpone the trip had to be made."
Lin pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns China for using political power to interfere with the normal operation of international civil aviation, and even for politicizing and weaponizing flight information regions. This is not only pressure on Taiwan but also a challenge to international flight safety, freedom of aviation, and the rules-based international order.
Lin emphasized that Taiwan is a sovereign country, and its 23 million people have the right to engage with the world. No amount of authoritarian coercion can change Taiwan's determination to connect with the world, because Taiwan is inherently a part of the world.
Lin said, "We thank the Kingdom of Eswatini, and we thank all the allies and like-minded countries that assisted Taiwan in negotiations during this process. Such tactics will not be the last. The more pressure we face, the calmer and more determined we will be to strive to protect Taiwan's dignity and continue to walk towards the world step by step." (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150421