President's Overseas Trip Blocked; AIT: Beijing Once Again Intimidates Taiwan
The AIT condemned Beijing for pressuring several countries to revoke flight clearances for Taiwan's president, calling it an act of intimidation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 11:23
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 11:31 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 12:52 (1h 20m after Collected)
Central News Agency Message
(CNA Reporter Yang Yao-ju, Taipei, 23rd) The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) stated today that according to reports, several countries revoked flight clearances to prevent the Taiwanese President from visiting Eswatini. Certain countries interfered with the security of the Taiwanese official's travel at China's request. Airspace management should not be used as a political tool. This is once again an act of intimidation by Beijing against Taiwan.
President Lai originally planned to visit the allied nation of Eswatini on the 22nd, but Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar suddenly canceled the special flight clearances, causing the trip to be postponed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that China is the mastermind behind the three countries' cancellation of the presidential plane's flight clearance. The related issues have also drawn international attention.
An AIT spokesperson replied to CNA, expressing concern over the relevant reports. According to the reports, several countries revoked flight clearances, preventing the Taiwanese President from visiting Eswatini.
The AIT spokesperson pointed out that these countries interfered with the safety and dignity of the Taiwanese official's travel at China's request. The international airspace within the flight information regions they manage extends beyond the sovereign airspace above their territories, and the responsibility of airspace management lies in ensuring flight safety, not serving as a political tool for Beijing.
The AIT spokesperson emphasized that this is once again an act of intimidation by Beijing directed at Taiwan and Taiwan's supporters globally, abusing the international civil aviation system and threatening international peace and prosperity. The U.S. urges Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150423
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(CNA Reporter Yang Yao-ju, Taipei, 23rd) The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) stated today that according to reports, several countries revoked flight clearances to prevent the Taiwanese President from visiting Eswatini. Certain countries interfered with the security of the Taiwanese official's travel at China's request. Airspace management should not be used as a political tool. This is once again an act of intimidation by Beijing against Taiwan.
President Lai originally planned to visit the allied nation of Eswatini on the 22nd, but Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar suddenly canceled the special flight clearances, causing the trip to be postponed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that China is the mastermind behind the three countries' cancellation of the presidential plane's flight clearance. The related issues have also drawn international attention.
An AIT spokesperson replied to CNA, expressing concern over the relevant reports. According to the reports, several countries revoked flight clearances, preventing the Taiwanese President from visiting Eswatini.
The AIT spokesperson pointed out that these countries interfered with the safety and dignity of the Taiwanese official's travel at China's request. The international airspace within the flight information regions they manage extends beyond the sovereign airspace above their territories, and the responsibility of airspace management lies in ensuring flight safety, not serving as a political tool for Beijing.
The AIT spokesperson emphasized that this is once again an act of intimidation by Beijing directed at Taiwan and Taiwan's supporters globally, abusing the international civil aviation system and threatening international peace and prosperity. The U.S. urges Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in meaningful dialogue. (Editor: Wan Shu-chang) 1150423
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First Hand News' APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio-visuals on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.