Taiwan Foreign Minister Arrives in Eswatini After President’s Trip Blocked

Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung landed in Eswatini on April 24, 2026 to attend the 40th anniversary of the reign of King Mswati III. Image via @chia_lung.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung arrived in Eswatini 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.

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by Eric Olander

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