MOFA: China Behind Decision by 3 African Countries to Cancel Flight Permits for President Lai

TAIPEI, April 22 (CNA) - President Lai Ching-te's scheduled departure for Eswatini today was put on hold after Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar unexpectedly withdrew flight clearance for his aircraft. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) slammed the move, asserting that China is the mastermind behind the interference.

Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an stated in an emergency briefing late last night that the three countries canceled the permits without warning. MOFA pointed out that the explanations provided by Seychelles and Madagascar—citing non-recognition of Taiwan's sovereignty and adherence to the 'One China' principle—clearly demonstrate China's role in the incident.

'China is using naked political power to interfere with normal international civil aviation, weaponizing flight information regions,' MOFA said in a statement. The ministry lodged a stern protest against the countries for succumbing to Chinese rhetoric and challenging international conventions on flight safety. It emphasized that Taiwan is a sovereign, independent democratic nation and that economic coercion from Beijing will not deter Taiwan from its path to engage with the world.